From Striving to Thriving: Mitigating Anti-Black Family Racism to Maximize Health Outcomes in Black Children

Abstract

Certain inequities and injustices represent long-standing, recurring challenges that disproportionately affect many Black communities in the United States. Despite decades of efforts to eliminate these problems and improve outcomes in health, housing, education, and employment, a significant number of Black families are still “surviving” and not “thriving.” The effects of historical and ongoing discriminatory policies continue to increase risk for adverse outcomes among Black people and their families. These systemic conditions also help perpetuate negative myths and stereotypes associated with the Black family unit, and particularly, Black fathers. In striving to achieve equitable child health outcomes, it is vital for health care professionals to comprehend the tangible traumas that result from experiencing racism. This specific type of harm also acts as a driver for manifestation of developmental, physical, behavioral, and mental health issues in Black children. This review highlights the intersecting dynamics of structural racism, Black family units, and adverse outcomes on child health, development, and behavior. Health care professionals seeking to provide culturally attuned and appropriate anticipatory guidance need to address the effects of racism on social-emotional, language, and cognitive development in children. This includes centering Black family perspectives and advocating for antiracist programs and policies that protect Black children, such as increased support of Black children with special education needs, more equitable funding for neighborhoods where Black families reside, and meaningful efforts to reform criminal justice system practices that unfairly target Black men. By actively mitigating anti-Black racism, Black children and families can shift from surviving to thriving.