The data for this Indicator was obtained through the WNC Healthy Impact Initiative from their secondary dataset and from their primary survey as part of a regional Community Health Assessment process. All secondary data sources are heavily vetted to ensure validity. Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC) is the research firm that conducts the survey to collect the primary data. PRC uses random sampling which produces a highly representative sample. To ensure the best representation of the population surveyed, a multi-mode methodology was implemented for the survey. To increase the potential for participation even further, the surveys were completed both through phone calls and in an online internet-based survey format.

One clinical partner shared the following insight: “Being an African-American male, it was not “cool” to be bright and educated. This cycle needs to be broken. We currently have a decreasing number of African-American males enrolling in medical school. This is only one example but shows we need to do a better job at the elementary and high school levels. I believe it is partly related to the environment we are raised in. Although I grew up in Chicago, this is a national issue. Also, non-BIPOC teachers are more likely to find black children’s behavior disruptive and expel them. We need to find ways to lift up African-American children in their communities to excel in the school system and not shatter their growth and beliefs in themselves.”