About this Research Topic
Health disparities in Black communities are shaped by a combination of historical injustices, socioeconomic factors, and systemic racism. From the long-lasting impact of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study to present-day disparities in chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, the intersection of race and health reveals significant gaps in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes. The social determinants of health, including income, education, housing, and environmental conditions, further compound these inequities, often leaving Black populations more vulnerable to a range of health issues.
This Research Topic invites submissions that explore the following themes:
1. Historical Context of Health Disparities
o How historical injustices, segregation, and systemic racism have shaped healthcare distrust and health outcomes in Black communities.
2. Social Determinants of Health
o The role of socioeconomic factors in perpetuating health inequities, with a focus on income inequality, education, housing, and access to healthy environments.
3. Chronic Disease Disparities
o The prevalence of chronic diseases in Black populations, including the influence of genetic, environmental, and healthcare system factors.
4. Mental Health in Black Communities
o Barriers to mental health care, cultural stigma, and innovative approaches to addressing mental health challenges within Black populations.
5. Health Policy and Advocacy
o The impact of healthcare policies on Black communities, including an analysis of reforms aimed at addressing inequities and potential areas for improvement.
6. Public Health Innovations
o Community-based interventions, culturally tailored health campaigns, and the role of technology in reducing health disparities.
7. COVID-19 and Black Communities
o The disproportionate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black populations and lessons learned for future public health preparedness.
8. Maternal and Infant Health Disparities
o The factors contributing to higher maternal and infant mortality rates in Black women, and strategies to improve outcomes through culturally competent care.
9. Cultural Competence in Public Health
o The importance of cultural competency training for healthcare professionals to address implicit bias and improve patient outcomes in Black communities.
We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives from interdisciplinary fields including epidemiology, sociology, public health policy, community health, and clinical medicine. Submissions that propose actionable solutions or highlight successful interventions in reducing health disparities in Black communities are especially encouraged.
Keywords: health disparities, Black communities, historical injustices, public health, chronic disease, mental health, maternal health, health equity, social determinants of health, cultural competence
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.