Linking Health and Education for African American Students' Success

by Nadine M. Finigan-Carr (Editor)

Overview

The linkages between a student’s health and a student’s ability to learn have been well established. Children who are sick stay home; and, children at home cannot learn if they are not in school leading to increased dropout rates among other educational outcomes. However, an understanding of this concept is just the beginning of understanding how education and public health are inextricably linked.

In light of this, Linking Health and Education for African American Students’ Success examines health disparities and education inequities simultaneously and moves beyond a basic understanding of health and education in K-12 school programs. The structural inequalities which lead to reduced academic attainment mirror the social determinants of health. Education is one of the most powerful determinants of health, and disparities in educational achievement as a result of structural inequalities closely track disparities in health. These disparities lead to both sub-standard healthcare and reduced academic attainment among children from underserved minorities in the United States, especially African Americans.

This book discusses how this may result in children with poorer mental health outcomes; higher school dropout rates; increased risks of arrests and incarceration; higher rates of chronic diseases and mortality; and overall diminished opportunities for success, while providing suggestions as to how to address these issues. This results in an insightful read for researchers, academics and practitioners in the fields of healthcare and education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498767064
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/03/2017
Pages:	165
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Nadine M Finigan-Carr, is a prevention research scientist focused on the application of behavioral and social science perspectives to research on contemporary health problems, especially those which disproportionately affect people of color. Currently, Dr. Finigan-Carr is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland: School of Social Work

Table of Contents

Part I: Health Behaviors and Educational Outcomes Chapter 1. A Dream Deferred: How Trauma Impacts the Academic Achievement of African-American Youth - Larry J. Walker & Ramon Goings Chapter 2. Addressing Racism’s Effects on African American Males from Womb to Classroom – Roland J. Thorpe, Jr & Derek M. Griffith & Marino A. Bruce & Lawrence Brown Chapter 3. Drinking and Learning While Black: The Effect of Family Problem Drinking on Children’s Later Educational Attainment - Stacey Houston, II Chapter 4. Anxiety and Grade Retention among African American and Caribbean Black Adolescents - Theda Rose & Nadine M. Finigan-Carr & Sean Joe Chapter 5. Community Violence, Adolescent Aggression and Academic Achievement – Nadine M. Finigan-Carr & Tanya L. Sharpe Part II: Interventions with an Impact on Both Health Behaviors and Educational Outcomes Chapter 6. Schools as Re-Traumatizing Environments – Wendy E. Shaia & Shanda C. Crowder Chapter 7. Peace, Be Still: Black Educators Coping with Constant School Reforms in Philadelphia - Camika Royal Chapter 8. Promoting Culturally Responsive Practice to Reduce Disparities in School Discipline among African American Students - Katrina J. Debnam & Jessika H. Bottiani & Catherine Bradshaw Chapter 9. On Some Types and Consequences of Afterschool Activities in Low-Income Neighborhoods - Brad Lian Epilogue About the Contributors