Health disparities initiatives by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Keys to healthy campuses and communities

We evaluated 109 Health Disparities (HD) programs at a select group of 29 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to determine the salient characteristics of these public health initiatives. HD programs covered a wide range of typical HD issues such as prenatal and infant care, cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, diabetes, and obesity as well as other areas with racial and ethnic gaps in care including oral health, teen pregnancy, mental health and substance abuse, suicide, domestic violence, and homicide. The majority of HBCU students and community residents were non-Hispanic Black and female. Most programs offered student education and training in clinical care. Community residents were the primary beneficiaries of HD programs that offered health services, whether provided by student trainees or seasoned faculty. Though measured infrequently, success was determined largely by improvement in patient or client outcomes. Thus, HBCUs are uniquely poised to provide culturally appropriate, community-based solutions to disparities that threaten the health of the student body and the surrounding community. These solutions have significant implications for eliminating disparities in health care for all African Americans.