Scholars have labeled racial residential segregation a "fundamental cause" of racial disparities in health. The primary objective of this course is to help students understand the reasons behind this label. To accomplish this, we will read classic and contemporary works that discuss the historical foundations of race and racially segregated communities in the United States. Then, we will critically review the large body of research that has examined various social, economic, and environmental mechanisms linking racial residential segregation to health and health disparities. By the end of this course, students will be able to identify key theoretical, conceptual, and methodological approaches, challenges, and opportunities in this literature.