Teaching the Social Determinants of Health to Health Professional Students Using Theatre.

BACKGROUND: As the education of more health professional students continues to evolve, it is crucial to consider how these students are taught about the social determinants of health (SDOH). While these concepts are regular language within the field of public health, they are new within most health professions education programs. Thus, faculty may be grappling with how to teach SDOH concepts to their students. METHODS: Using theatre as a guide, scenarios were developed to expose health professions students to the SDOH. RESULTS: Guided process in the development of theatrical scenarios to support the teaching of SDOH to health professions students. CONCLUSION: The use of theatrical scenarios presents one way that may prove to be effective in teaching the concepts of the SDOH to health professions students. The guided process discussed may make it easier for faculty to reproduce similar scenarios that better expose health professions students to the concepts of the SDOH.

Understanding the factors that influence matriculation and persistence in Black medical students.

Purpose: The Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) Strategic Plan lists 10 action plans one of which is focused on understanding how systemic barriers, such as racism and access to quality education, may negatively impact diversity in academic medicine. Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand the factors that impact the matriculation and persistence of Black medical students. Method: A qualitative phenomenological study using Tinto's Model of Institutional Departure as an organizing framework was used for this study. Participants were asked a series of questions covering topics related to their goals, their medical school experience, their preparation for medical school, what could improve their medical school experience, and advice for future Black medical students. Results: Forty in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted during the fall 2022 term from October to December with Black medical students enrolled in over 16 US or Caribbean medical schools. Findings reported that two factors impacted matriculation for Black medical students (exposure to the medical field and resources, particularly financial resources). Findings also reported that three factors impacted the persistence of Black students once in medical school (diversity, support, and emotional resources). Conclusion: The five factors identified by participants that impact matriculation and persistence for Black medical students can be used by medical schools to increase their enrollment and graduation of Black students.

Using Nail Salons, Beauty Spas, and Hair Salons for Health Education with Black Women.

A historical lack of access to healthcare and the mistreatment of Black women among those in the medical field have contributed to the health disparities against this group today. Based on existing health disparities affecting Black women, this study examined the feasibility of using nail salons, beauty salons, and hair salons as an avenue for health education efforts for Black women. An online survey was used to reach Black-owned salon workers. A total of 20 female participants completed the survey. Most participants preferred sharing health information with their clients through one-on-one conversations. Eighty percent of participants were willing to receive training on health topics so they could educate their clients. Findings suggest that it is feasible to utilize beauty stylists as lay health workers to promote positive health education among Black women. Further studies are needed to address health topics that clients would be willing to discuss with their stylists.

Understanding the relationship between student loan debt and stress among female students at an HBCU.

As the price of secondary education continues to rise, many students are left with the burden of how to pay for their education. Because more women go to college, it's important to understand how this debt burden impacts their health. The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of debt on stress and anxiety in Black females attending a Historically Black College and University. Using the socioecological model as a guide, findings reported that factors contributing to their stress were loan repayment, financial assistance and education, and future educational expenses. How universities can use these findings are discussed.

Understanding What Influences Sexual Health Behaviors among Black Males in College.

Using the Health Belief Model as a guide, focus groups and interviews (n=35) were conducted with Black males at a Historically Black College and University. Findings suggest that norms around the expectations of men and sex relates to their sexual behavior. The study also indicates that while Black college men know they should engage in protected sex (perceived benefits), they are inclined to engage in unprotected sex if their partner is on the pill (cues to action), they don't believe the consequences are immediate (perceived severity), and they like the feel of not using a condom (perceived barriers).

Grown woman: Understanding what influences health behaviors in black female students at a HBCU.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand what influences health behaviors in Black female students at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).Participants and Methods: Twenty-five Black female students enrolled at a HBCU in the southern United States participated in five focus groups and one interview. Qualitative analysis was used to analyze data for similar themes and codes.Results: The three areas that appear to influence health behaviors are interpersonal, community, and society.Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for HBCUs to develop health programs for Black women on their campus that include elements of interpersonal support. Additionally, HBCUs need to work on how they create an environment that provides their female students with the resources they need to be able to live a healthy life.

Black College Women and the Health of Black College Men.

The purpose of this study was to understand the influence Black college women have on the health behaviors of Black men. Using the Health Belief Model and the socioecological model as guides, focus groups and interviews were conducted with Black college men (n = 35) and Black college females (n = 25) at a Historically Black College and University in the Southern United States. Participants provided responses to questions on what impacts their health behaviors and whose health they influence. Results indicate that Black college men believed Black peer women influence decisions they make regarding their diet, physical activity, and general health behaviors. However, Black college women believe they only influenced physical activity and sexual health in Black college men. While they understood they had some influence on their health, the women were unsure if they had long-term influence. These findings highlight the need for programming that informs young Black women on the important role they play in the health of men in their lives, particularly young Black men. These findings also highlight the need for peer health educator training to cross-train educators on health issues of all gender groups.

Training the Next Generation: Developing Health Education Skills in Undergraduate Public Health Students at a Historically Black College and University.

With the looming workforce crisis, undergraduate public health students could be an important link in filling this demand. As public health continues to face challenges in the future, it is important that the future workforce is not only diverse but also trained in a manner that exposes them to real-world experiences that give them an opportunity to apply coursework to solve problems. This article outlines how a health program planning course was taught at a Historically Black College and University using assignments that promote active learning. Students were assessed on their ability to plan and implement a health activity based on a developed metric. Student and instructor reflections were collected from final assessments of the health programs by both groups. All elements of the course are discussed from course design, structure, assignments, and outcomes along with student and instructor reflections and lessons learned. Results suggest that including assignments focused on active learning are beneficial to helping students learn course material. As public health continues to change, more work needs to focus on teaching pedagogies that better prepare students to address future public health issues.

Understanding barriers to healthy behaviors in black college men.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the short life expectancy of black men, it is important to understand what impacts health behaviors in this group so that interventions and programs can be developed to improve their health behaviors which may help in increasing the life expectancy of black men. The purpose of this study was to understand what perceived barriers exist for black college men that prevent them from engaging in healthy behaviors. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five black male students at a southern Historically Black College and University participated in five focus groups and four interviews. A qualitative analysis was used to analyze data for similar themes and codes. RESULTS: Perceived barriers to engaging in healthy behaviors appear to be influenced by image, food cost, and education. Cues to action for not engaging in healthy behaviors appear to be related to role models. CONCLUSIONS: Black college men are not adequately informed or educated about elements that can impact their health and how they can improve it. College administrators and researchers should develop interventions that include elements of increasing health knowledge and age-appropriate role models to improve health behavior change among this group.

Prostate Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs in Black College Men: A Qualitative Study.

This qualitative study explores prostate cancer knowledge and risk in Black college men. Using the Health Belief Model as a guide, focus groups and interviews were conducted with 35 Black males at a historically black college and university. Thematic analysis was conducted and general themes were found. Results indicate that Black college males have very little knowledge and understanding of what their prostate is and what it does. They are also unaware of their risk of developing prostate cancer. Additionally, while many believe prostate cancer is severe, few believe they are susceptible to getting it. These findings suggest more work needs to be done to educate young Black males on not only their prostate and prostate cancer, but on their general health. Efforts should focus on increasing the health knowledge of younger Black males in addition to that of middle-aged and older Black males so that health disparities can decrease.

Racial and gender disparities in sugar consumption change efficacy among first-year college students.

Reducing excess dietary sugar intake among emerging adults involves replacing sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and sugary snacks (SSN) with healthier options. Few studies have assessed the perceived degree of difficulty associated with making lifestyle modifications among a diverse group of emerging adults. The purpose of this study was to assess race and gender disparities in SSB and SSN behavioral modification efficacy among African American and White first year college students. A self-administered, cross-sectional survey was completed by a subsample of freshmen (n = 499) at a medium-sized southern university. Key outcome variables were self-efficacy in reducing consumption of SSBs and SSNs, respectively. Primary independent variables were BMI, concerns about weight, and attempts to lose weight, takeout food consumption frequency, and physical activity. Half of the sample was African American (50.1%) and a majority of participants were female (59.3%). Fewer African Americans than Whites were very sure they could substitute SSBs with water (48.8% vs 64.7%, p < 0.001) or eat fewer SSNs (39.2% vs 48.2%, p < 0.04). A smaller segment of males reported being confident in their ability replace SSBs with water (51.2% vs 60.5%, p < 0.04). African Americans (OR = 0.38, CI: 0.22-0.64) and males (OR = 0.49, CI: 0.27-0.88) had lower odds of being more confident in their ability to change their SSB intake. Race and gender differences were not present in models predicting confidence to reduce SSN consumption. These findings highlight the need to consider race and gender in interventions seeking to increase self-efficacy to make lifestyle modifications.

Obesity Epidemiology Worldwide.

Obesity continues to be a public health concern across the globe. Obesity has a demonstrated association with health behaviors and health outcomes, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Over the past 2 decades, obesity has increased worldwide and remains highest in the United States. It is critical to understand the definition of obesity, using body mass index appropriately, recent estimates, and risk factors as a framework within which clinicians should work to help reduce the burden of obesity. This framework, including the Healthy People 2020 place-based approach to social determinants of health, is described in this article.

Racial and Ethnic Heterogeneity in Self-Reported Diabetes Prevalence Trends Across Hispanic Subgroups, National Health Interview Survey, 1997-2012.

INTRODUCTION: We examined racial/ethnic heterogeneity in self-reported diabetes prevalence over 15 years. METHODS: We used National Health Interview Survey data for 1997 through 2012 on 452,845 adults aged 18 years or older. Annual self-reported diabetes prevalence was estimated by race/ethnicity and education. We tested for trends over time by education and race/ethnicity. We also analyzed racial/ethnic and education trends in average annual prevalence. RESULTS: During the 15 years studied, diabetes prevalence differed significantly by race/ethnicity (P < .001) and by Hispanic subgroup (P < .001). Among participants with less than a high school education, the 5-year trend in diabetes prevalence was highest among Cubans and Cuban Americans (ß(5YR) = 4.8, P = .002), Puerto Ricans (ß(5YR) = 2.2, P = .06), non-Hispanic blacks (ß(5YR) = 2.2, P < .001), and non-Hispanic whites (ß(5YR) = 2.1, P < .001). Among participants with more than a high school education, non-Hispanic blacks had the highest average annual prevalence (5.5%) and Puerto Ricans had the highest 5-year trend in annual diabetes prevalence (ß(5YR) = 2.6, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In this representative sample of US adults, results show ethnic variations in diabetes prevalence. The prevalence of diabetes is higher among Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites, unevenly distributed across Hispanic subgroups, and more pronounced over time and by education. Findings support disaggregation of data for racial/ethnic populations in the United States to monitor trends in diabetes disparities and the use of targeted, culturally appropriate interventions to prevent diabetes.

Understanding Masculinity in Undergraduate African American Men: A Qualitative Study.

This study reports findings on views of masculinity with undergraduate Black men, which included interviews and focus groups (N = 46) with participants ranging in age from 18 to 22 years. Specifically, this study explored how Black men define being a man and being a Black man. Undergraduate Black males at a historically Black college and university (N = 25) and a predominately White institution (N = 21) in the Southeastern United States were recruited to participate in this study. Through the use of thematic analysis, findings indicated that three levels of masculinity exist for Black men: what it means to be a man, what it means to be a Black man, and who influences male development. Implications and recommendations for future research and practice are discussed.