From left to right, Jesse J. Helton, Ph.D., Kira Banks, Ph.D., Mark Pousson, Ph.D., and Keon L. Gilbert, D.PH SLU file photos.
By Bridjes O'Neil, Saint Louis University, August 2023
Adolescents of color with a disability or special health care need (SHCN) were almost twice as likely to experience racial discrimination compared to peers of color without SHCNs, according to Saint Louis University (SLU) research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
The study’s authors hope this research will serve as a wake-up call for health care providers to develop better screening tools and start conversations between parents and children of color who have SPHNs on recognizing and navigating racial discrimination.
Racism is now widely considered a childhood source of toxic stress and a social determinant of health. For adolescents ages 11-17 in the U.S., experiencing racial discrimination is associated with poor physical, mental, and educational outcomes.
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