Promoting health equity with HBCUs: Breaking away from structural racism

Activism Is an Essential Nursing Role

“…Sharrica Miller and Stephanie Vaughn recognized that the underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic nurses, despite claims of “inclusion and diversity,” is sustained by practices in nursing education that disadvantage students of color 41. Waite and colleagues cited historically Black colleges and universities' lack of funding and lack of collaboration with leading organizations dedicated to inclusion and equity as contributing factors to persistent health disparities 42…”

“…41 Waite and colleagues cited historically Black colleges and universities' lack of funding and lack of collaboration with leading organizations dedicated to inclusion and equity as contributing factors to persistent health disparities. 42 Nurse educators at all levels need only to examine the content of their textbooks and the journal articles they require students to read to see how teaching materials sustain injustices. Illustrations predominantly portray White experiences; case studies frequently portray people of color as patients (not providers) and as poor, uneducated, and needy.…”

Centering Health Equity Through the Social Determinants of Health, Interprofessional Education, and Sustainable Partnerships With Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Envisioning Upstream and Downstream Impacts

“…have been historically and systemically marginalized, underfunded, and under-resourced (Hollis-Staten et al, 2012;Waite et al, 2023), they have successfully graduated outstanding, world-renowned leaders who are social justice advocates. To leverage any curriculum or IPE centering SDOH and health equity, it is critical for non-MSI postsecondary institutions with nursing programs to partner with HBCUs.…”

“…HBCUs have a history of partnering with other non-minority serving institutions (MSIs) and developing community and/or faith-based initiatives to address disparities in health and health care (Campbell et al, 2020; Hudson et al, 2021; McWhirter et al, 2003; Patterson, 2021; Taylor et al, 2020; Treadwell et al, 2009). While HBCUs have been historically and systemically marginalized, underfunded, and under-resourced (Hollis-Staten et al, 2012; Waite et al, 2023), they have successfully graduated outstanding, world-renowned leaders who are social justice advocates. To leverage any curriculum or IPE centering SDOH and health equity, it is critical for non-MSI postsecondary institutions with nursing programs to partner with HBCUs.…”

The Structures of Caring

“…And holistic admissions processes that expand the criteria for rating applicants, reducing systemic barriers to transferring credits among institutions. HBCU nursing faculty, students, and programs bring great promise to the nation's practice partners and communities through complementary coalitions and alliances that promote new strategies and ideas, expanding opportunity for all stakeholders (Waite et al, 2023).…”