The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

Manka Nkimbeng; Bernice B. Malaika Rumala; Crystal M. Richardson; Shemekka Ebony Stewart-Isaacs; Janiece L. Taylor

doi:10.1089/heq.2022.0118

The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

Manka Nkimbeng, Bernice B. Malaika Rumala, Crystal M. Richardson, Shemekka Ebony Stewart-Isaacs, Janiece L. Taylor

Health Policy and Management

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Discrimination toward black hair is pervasive in today's society. Hair discrimination is negative bias manifested toward black natural or textured hair styles typically worn by persons of African descent. This commentary discusses the potential effects of hair discrimination on the health and well-being of persons of African descent. Specifically, it explores the mental and physical health implications of hair discrimination and situates it within the broader context of social determinants of health. The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act has been recently passed in the United States House of Representatives, but more work is needed to eliminate hair discrimination and its negative effects.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	406-410
Number of pages	5
Journal	Health Equity
Volume	7
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2022.0118
State	Published - Aug 1 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
No funding was received for this article.

Publisher Copyright:
© Manka Nkimbeng et al., 2023; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Keywords

black hair
hair bias
hair discrimination
natural hair
racial discrimination
racism

PubMed: MeSH publication types

Journal Article

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1089/heq.2022.0118

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Cite this

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title = "The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being",

abstract = "Discrimination toward black hair is pervasive in today's society. Hair discrimination is negative bias manifested toward black natural or textured hair styles typically worn by persons of African descent. This commentary discusses the potential effects of hair discrimination on the health and well-being of persons of African descent. Specifically, it explores the mental and physical health implications of hair discrimination and situates it within the broader context of social determinants of health. The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act has been recently passed in the United States House of Representatives, but more work is needed to eliminate hair discrimination and its negative effects.",

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The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

PubMed: MeSH publication types

UN SDGs

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