Promoting health equity with HBCUs: Breaking away from structural racism

Roberta Waite; Jessica Varghese; Yolanda VanRiel; Theresa Smith; Gil Singletary; Oren Shtayermman; Brian L Ragsdale; Nina M McCune; Catherine Holton; Patricia E Ferguson; Gina S Brown; Janice Brewington; Katie Boston-Leary; Kenya Beard

doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2022.101913

Promoting health equity with HBCUs: Breaking away from structural racism

Nurs Outlook. 2023 Mar-Apr;71(2):101913. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.101913. Epub 2023 Jan 21.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Georgetown University, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Washington, DC.
² New York Institute of Technology, School of Health Professions, Old Westbury, NY.
³ North Carolina Central University, College of Health and Sciences, Durham, NC.
⁴ Mercy College of Health Sciences, Des Moines, IA.
⁵ South University, Office of the Provost, Savannah, GA.
⁶ Chamberlain University, School of Social Work, Chicago, IL.
⁷ Walden University, Office of Academic Research, Progress, and Completion, Minneapolis, MN.
⁸ Walden University, Office of Inclusive Teaching and Learning, Minneapolis, MN.
⁹ Walden University, College of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN.
¹⁰ Chamberlain University, Research and National Surveying, Chicago, IL.
¹¹ The Howard University, College of Nursing, Washington, DC.
¹² National League for Nursing, Washington, DC.
¹³ American Nurses Association, Silver Spring, MD.
¹⁴ Chamberlain University, Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Chicago, IL. Electronic address: kbeard@chamberlain.edu.

PMID: 36690528
DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.101913

Abstract

Background: The United States continues to be plagued with pervasive health disparities. Leading health and professional organizations acknowledge structural racism as a contributing factor for the lack of a racially diverse nursing workforce particularly those serving in leadership roles which could help to mitigate health disparities among historically stigmatized populations.

Purpose: Purpose Lack of funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and lack of meaningful partnerships, stymie efforts that can be made by nursing programs at HBCUs.

Discussion: Discussion This position paper examines collaborative actions that can address upstream factors that perpetuate healthcare disparities through deep engagement between the policymakers, professional associations, industry, and educational institutions.

Methods: Faculty representing HBCU's and predominately White institutions, professional organizations, and staff met via videoconference to refine the focus of the paper, determine topic areas for writing teams, and refine details which occurred during weekly meetings.

Conclusion: To disengage from structural racism, three critical recommendations are amplified with associated examples.

Keywords: Funding; Health equity; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Nursing leadership; Partnerships; Structural racism.

MeSH terms

Black or African American
Faculty
Health Equity*
Humans
Racism* / prevention & control
Systemic Racism
United States
Universities