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Publication Profiles

Social Support Assets and Needs of Underrepresented Students Participating in Health Sciences Pathways Programs in Birmingham, Alabama

Citation

McCollum CG, Carodine A, Chiedo A, et al. Social Support Assets and Needs of Underrepresented Students Participating in Health Sciences Pathways Programs in Birmingham, Alabama. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2023;94(2S):S99-S107. doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000003255

Implementation stage:

Pre-Implementation

Implementation outcomes reported:

Not applicable

Continuum target addressed:

Not reported

Geography:

Alabama

Study Participant Classification:

Community member(s)

Plain Language Objectives

The researchers studied underrepresented students in Birmingham programs that prepare people for health careers. They wanted to compare social support, mentoring, professional identity, and family support across high school, college, and graduate levels.

Plain Language Abstract

Health sciences pathway programs aim to increase representation in the health workforce, but students at different educational stages may need different forms of support. Researchers conducted four focus groups with 22 students and an online survey with 168 participants from Birmingham City Schools and the University of Alabama at Birmingham between November 2022 and February 2023. Most participants were from underrepresented groups; 68.2% of focus group participants and 65.7% of survey respondents identified as Black or African American. Compared with high school students, undergraduate and graduate students described stronger identities as future health professionals through friendships and institutional support, broader networks developed through mentoring, and greater family support for academic goals. The findings suggest pathway programs should strengthen social support, especially during high school, to promote continued education and entry into health careers. This mixed-methods study describes program participants and does not establish that any specific support causes persistence. The Airtable Continuum Target field is blank and should not be inferred from the article.

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