During my pediatrics training in Pittsburgh, PA, I provided care to the young people—many of them boys and young men of color—at the juvenile detention center. But after treating various illnesses and providing routine physical exams, it was clear that many of the teenagers faced another challenge: many of them would return to communities where they lacked support and opportunity, conditions that would also have a negative impact on their health.
Communities that strengthen support and create and expand opportunities for all youth, including boys and young men of color, are at the heart of President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative, which commemorated its first anniversary on February 27. A one-year report from the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force details the progress we have made thus far in answering the President’s call for communities and young people to put all youth in a position to thrive, regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status.
As with the boys and young men I cared for in my practice, the health of our youth is determined by access to social and economic opportunities. These social determinants of health—where our children live, learn, play and grow up—are inextricably linked to health outcomes.
Studies, including a 2014 men’s health data brief released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health highlighting social, economic and health characteristics of uninsured men, continue to underscore the extent to which social determinants of health are tied to health and opportunity. We have made notable progress: the national high school dropout rate has reached record lows and the dropout rate has steadily improved among blacks and Hispanics. Our work is not yet done, however, as disparities remain for minorities.
The unemployment rate for blacks (10.3 percent) is nearly twice the national rate (5.7 percent). Homicide is the leading cause of death for black males between the ages of 15 and 24, and the second leading cause of death for Hispanic males in the same age group. And, 75 percent of deaths among American Indian children between the ages of 12 and 20 are caused by violence, including intentional violence, homicide and suicide, according to a 2014 report of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Children. Through MBK, these issues have gained national prominence and are being addressed through steps to expand opportunity for all by communities and leaders across public, private and non-profit sectors.
Across the country, we are seeing remarkable support for MBK. Nearly 200 mayors, county officials and tribal leaders have accepted the MBK Community Challenge, and they are working with more than 2,000 local partners to create and improve opportunities for all in their communities. These community-based efforts are buttressed by more than $300 million in grants and in-kind resources that have been committed by businesses, foundations and other organizations.
At HHS, we are committed to doing our part to advance the goals of MBK. For example, we are expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities for children, especially those in high-need communities; we partnered with the U.S. Department of Education to provide recommendations to states and early childhood programs to prevent and eventually eliminate expulsion and suspension practices in early learning settings; and, we are increasing resources and tools to empower parents. HHS has also partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice on the Minority Youth Violence Prevention program, helping communities curb youth violence and improve their health and well-being.
We know that too many of our nation’s youth, including boys and young men of color continue to face substantial and persistent hurdles that all too often keep them from reaching their full potential. We also know that regardless of their ambitions, the difference between clearing those hurdles and getting stuck behind them often comes down to having the necessary support to realize their dreams.
That’s why we encourage every community to accept the MBK Community Challenge, because as our youth succeed, our communities thrive and our nation grows stronger.
J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, is the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and the Director of the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).