Chapter 1 offers an in-depth, historically based discussion of the research on emoji and on matters of general concern regarding this unique type of visual character, along with a rationale for the need for a comprehensive treatment of emoji in education. The authors describe the reasons for focusing on higher education, particularly health professional education. They begin by examining the background work on emoji theory and research and offer initial insights into the discourse and semiotic functions of the emoji code. Such functions form the basis for considering the emoji code as a teaching tool that may be used to craft hybrid literacy-focused instruction (textual and visual). The discursive and recursive properties of emoji form the basis of semioliteracy, a theory that one of the authors (Petcoff) contends offers a basis for emoji use in developmental reading and writing and across several higher education academic fields. Specifically, the chapter addresses the potential use of emoji as a literacy instruction tool in both higher education and healthcare professional education.

This chapter first summarizes eight threats to racial equity in health and healthcare identified in previous chapters. It then presents potential solutions to reduce their impact on Black Americans’ health. Two solutions involve lessening the impact of racial disparities in socioeconomic status on access to healthcare. The first involves broad-based efforts to improve the quality of education available to Black students, which should increase their future economic potential and thus ultimately improve their health. The second one is to establish comprehensive, single-payer insurance programs, making healthcare more available to everyone. Other proposed solutions address health threats caused by specific kinds of anti-Black racism. These solutions include programs to systematically reduce unfair and dangerous law enforcement practices and targeted investments in intentionally segregated communities to improve residents’ quality of life. A solution to the threat of inequitable healthcare is changing healthcare facilities’ focus from treating to preventing illnesses and dramatically increasing the number Black healthcare providers. Finally, a solution to the undue influence of patients’ race in healthcare outcomes is to develop interventions that reduce the impact of racial bias on healthcare professionals’ actions and equip Black Americans with the information and strategies that would make healthcare more accessible and supportive of them.