This season, we’re zooming in to the birthplace of American suburbs and the place where host Nick St. Fleur grew up: Long Island, New York.

Suburban communities in the U.S. have a reputation for being largely white, wealthy, and healthy, but the reality is much more complex. In this first episode, we dive into the history and current reality of segregation on Long Island. We speak with Martine Hackett, an expert on suburban public health with a particular focus on Long Island.

Welcome to Long Island

Hosted by award-winning journalist Nicholas St. Fleur, Color Code weaves together stories and experiences of physicians, patients, historians, and other experts to illuminate the history of racism in the health care system and how it has — and continues — to impact people of color and underserved communities.