Henderson, Monica Alexandra
(2022)
U.S. Black Hair Politics: A Public Health Concern for Black Women and Girls.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Black women and girls in the United States disproportionately experience adverse health outcomes. While racism has been widely discussed as a determinant of health, we need to consider the intersectional experiences of Black women and girls and how health inequities perpetuate. Although the denigration of afro-textured hair has received some legal attention, it has been overlooked as a public health and equity concern. This critical literature synthesis presents the impact of Black hair politics on the well-being of Black women and girls through three specific factors: physiological, psychosocial, and socioeconomic. These influences exist at different levels of the social-ecological model, highlighting its public health significance and need for multilevel interventions. Legislation like the CROWN Act sets a legal precedent to change the conditions in which Black women and girls live, learn, and grow. In addition, an intervention for educational and medical institutions is suggested. It includes the integration of Black hair education, empowerment, inclusion, and accountability into curricula and practice to mitigate health inequities.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
| Creators | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Henderson, Monica Alexandra | mah386@pitt.edu | mah386 | |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Hawk, Mary | mary.hawk@pitt.edu | mary.hawk | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Hill, Ashley V. | avh16@pitt.edu | avh16 | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Huguley, James P. | huguley@pitt.edu | huguley | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
17 May 2022 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Submission Date: |
29 April 2022 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
87 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Black hair, equity, health, CROWN Act, intersectionality |
| Date Deposited: |
17 May 2022 15:55 |
| Last Modified: |
17 May 2022 15:55 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/42873 |
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