Washington, D.C. – June 3, 2021 – The Society for Public Health Education’s (SOPHE) journal Health Education & Behavior proudly publishes a special issue titled “Scholars of Color,” featuring 14 peer-reviewed articles. In this June 2021 open access issue, all first authors of the articles identified as scholars of color.
“We, the editors and guest editors of Health Education & Behavior are aware that racism in the creation of science is well-rooted and very difficult to change,” editor-in-chief Dr. Jesus Ramirez-Valles writes in his editorial. “We are not naïve about the limits of our efforts. At a minimum, we want to show that we care about the production of knowledge and our public health colleagues and students of color.”
Articles address topics ranging from Hispanic/Latino ethnic identity and structural racism and immigrant health in the U.S. to teaching an Asian American community health course and race-based sexual stereotypes, gendered racism, and sexual decision making among young Black cisgender women.
The authors are affiliated with institutions across the country – The City College of New York, George Washington University, University of Florida, San Francisco State University, and more.
“This special issue reflects SOPHE’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and addressing anti-racism in health education,” said Dr. Deborah Fortune, SOPHE President. “I commend the HE&B editors and guest editors for their dedication to highlighting the voices of scholars of color on these important timely topics.”
HE&B issued a call for papers for the Scholars of Color issue last summer, resulting in more than 100 abstracts for consideration. This June 2021 publication is the first SOPHE journal issue specifically focused on diversity, equity and inclusion as part of SOPHE’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
SOPHE’s two other peer-review publications, Pedagogy in Health Promotion and Health Promotion Practice will also publish articles devoted to racial and social justice in the months ahead. The special issue also covers the need to address racism with academia and research publications in order to address health equity.
The Scholars of Color special issue is made available open access with donations to SOPHE’s Legacy Circle Campaign.
Donations are welcome to help move SOPHE from words to action around anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion for the field of public health and health promotion.
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About Health Education & Behavior
Health Education & Behavior (HE&B) is a peer-reviewed, bimonthly journal that publishes authoritative empirical research and commentary on critical health issues of interest to a broad range of professionals whose work involves understanding factors associated with health behavior and evidence-based social and behavioral strategies to improve health status.
About SOPHE
The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a 501 (c)(3) professional organization founded in 1950 to support leaders in health education and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE contributes to the health of all people and the elimination of health disparities through advances in health education theory and research; excellence in professional preparation and practice; and advocacy for public policies conducive to health. For more information, see www.sophe.org
