Talking About Race: An Important First Step in Undergraduate Pedagogy Addressing African American Health Disparities

Abstract

This article is a reflection of the individual and collective experiences of university professors of color whose work addresses African American health disparities. As instructors with the responsibility of introducing undergraduate students to the concept of health disparities, we believe it is beneficial for students to examine health disparities within the historical context of race. From our collective experiences, we offer selected resources to help students (1) understand race as a social construct and (2) understand that health disparities are not a consequence of inherent race-based biological differences. This is paramount to initiating a discussion of African American health disparities. Furthermore, this challenges students to think critically about social determinants of health and the broader ecological factors associated with health disparities. In preparing future professionals in health promotion, this results in more well-rounded practitioners who are better able to engage with more diverse communities.