Course Objective
- School nurses will be able to identify and explain the cultural beliefs surrounding cultural hair practices.
- Public Health Professionals will acquire the cultural competency to proactively deter childhood obesity among black girls.
- Local Health Departments will understand the need to direct funding toward interventions and programs addressing the socio-cultural barrier of hair to physical activity of overweight and obese adolescents.
Date: November 28, 2017
Presenter:
Patricia O’Brien-Richardson, PhD, MS Ed
Assistant Professor
Rutgers University School of Public Health
Hair is perceived as a socio-cultural barrier to physical activity among a group that is disproportionately affected by obesity, overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Culturally relevant research and subsequent interventions and programs are needed to prevent urban black adolescent girls from becoming inactive, obese adults. In this webinar we will explore hair as a social determinant of health among black adolescent girls. Hair holds special meaning to women and girls of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and has significant value to many women of African descent, and is often influenced by historical, social, and cultural factors.
