Social Justice and Black Men’s Health
Abstract
This chapter provides a brief overview of the literature emphasizing seven unique and prevailing obstacles and barriers that Black men face when interacting with healthcare systems. Issues of: (1) racism and mistrust, (2) finances and economic stability, (3) gender-influenced stereotypes, (4) religion/faith-based ideology, (5) personal health management, (6) incarceration, and (7) Black men representation in medicine are believed to be seven factors that provide an explanation for why Black men continue to experience poor health outcomes. The chapter discusses social and political factors that have had implications for how black men interact with healthcare systems and utilizes the integrated lenses of critical race theory and intersectionality theory to conceptualize processes for understanding and change. Discussion questions and case studies are included to prompt critical thinking and elicit discussions on historical and structural racism, the influence of sociopolitical systems, and the implications for social work policy and practice.
Publication Title
Black Men’s Health: A Strengths-Based Approach Through a Social Justice Lens for Helping Professions
Recommended Citation
Lawrence, S., Watson, J., Lipford, K., Currie, N., & Cooper, M. (2022). Social Justice and Black Men’s Health. Black Men’s Health: A Strengths-Based Approach Through a Social Justice Lens for Helping Professions, 135-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04994-1_11
