Equity of African American Men in Headache in the United States: A Perspective From African American Headache Medicine Specialists (Part 2)

Abstract

In part 1 of this opinion piece, we described inherent and potential challenges of the equity of African American (AA) men in headache medicine including headache disparities, mistrust, understudied/lack of representation in research, cultural differences, implicit/explicit bias, and the diversity tax. We shared personal experiences related to headache medicine likely faced due to the color of our skin. In part 2, we offer possible solutions to achieve equity for AA men in headache including: (1) addressing head and facial pain disparities and mistrust in AA men; (2) professionalism and inclusion; (3) organizational/departmental leadership buy‐in for racial diversity; (4) implicit/explicit and other bias training; (5) diversity panels with open discussion; (6) addressing diversity tax; (7) senior mentorship; (8) increased opportunities for noteworthy and important roles; (9) forming and building alliances and partnerships; (10) diversity leadership training programs; (11) headache awareness, education, and literacy with a focus to underrepresented in medicine trainees and institutions; and (12) focused and supported the recruitment of AA men into headache medicine.

Factors Associated With, and Mitigation Strategies for, Health Care Disparities Faced by Patients With Headache Disorders

“…Specific strategies have been suggested. 55 Research is needed to understand career trajectories in academic medicine for groups with marginalized and underrepresented statuses. Evidence also suggests that individuals from underserved and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are more likely to serve the clinical needs of underserved populations, further underscoring the value of enhancing diversity of health care providers.…”

“…Evidence also suggests that individuals from underserved and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are more likely to serve the clinical needs of underserved populations, further underscoring the value of enhancing diversity of health care providers. 55,56 Improving Representation in Research…”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Headache Care and Research

“…In their two-part series, Charleston and colleagues 66,67 not only describe the racial disparities impacting African American men who are headache medicine specialists in the United States but also share a call to action with several concrete steps that can be taken to educate the field. While their perspective pieces focus on African American male physicians, many of the themes offered as solutions could be generalized to the needs of other marginalized groups in medicine.…”

Virtual issue: Diversity, equity, and inclusion

“…Other papers focused on topics pertaining to specific groups, with Charleston and colleagues providing a novel exploration of African American men in headache medicine, both from a healthcare professional and patient perspective, in their two‐part series. The authors critically explore challenges faced in Part 1 and offer 12 possible solutions to increase equity in African American men that is likely applicable to equity for other underrepresented and diverse populations in headache medicine in Part 2 2,3 . Borrero‐Meijas and colleagues share the experiences of women healthcare professionals in headache medicine, and their “11 Things Not to Say to Your Female Colleague” article remains one of the highest Altmetric rated articles in the history of the journal 4 …”

“…The authors critically explore challenges faced in Part 1 and offer 12 possible solutions to increase equity in African American men that is likely applicable to equity for other underrepresented and diverse populations in headache medicine in Part 2. 2,3 Borrero-Meijas and colleagues share the experiences of women healthcare professionals in headache medicine, and their "11 Things Not to Say to Your Female Colleague" article remains one of the highest Altmetric rated articles in the history of the journal. 4 This record-breaking article brings awareness of problems and unprofessional behavior faced by women healthcare professionals, both implicit and explicit, and includes suggestions on ways bystanders and upstanders can help.…”