Sexual Health and Black College Students

This book explores the various psychosocial, sociocultural, and contextual factors that affect the sexual health of Black students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and how this environment can help develop strategies to improve sexual health outcomes for its students.

The college environment provides young people with a new sense of independence, self-determination, and peer pressure to engage in risky sexual behaviors, and research has shown that Black students at HBCUs bear a disproportionate burden of poorer sexual health outcomes than students at predominately white institutions (PWIs). Uniquely focusing on the sexual milieu of Black students, Hall-Byers explains why a better understanding of these settings is needed to guide successful interventions that benefit and support the sexual health of Black students. Chapters compare data and research on sexual health outcomes of young Black men and women in comparison to those at predominately white institutions, as well as looking at the role of HBCU campus contexts and cultures, the potential psychosocial and sociocultural influences, what culturally responsive approaches may look like, and recommendations on how HBCU campuses can increase positive sexual health, such as through access, collaborative efforts among administrative offices, and reallocating resources.

Sexual Health and Black College Students aims to advance the translation of culturally grounded research into effective practice and is essential reading for researchers and practitioners in sex therapy, public health, and social science as well as for college health staff, including nurses, student affairs, and campus wellness centers.

"Finally! The field of Black sexuality studies has a comprehensive narrative of the experiences of Black young adults who attend HBCUs. Hall-Byers meticulously constructs a research, clinical, and educational portrait that captures the complex behavioral and affective nuances that impacts sexual decision making of Black students. Indeed, this is a must read for all sexuality educators at HBCUs and PWIs."
James C. Wadley, Ph.D., Lincoln University, USA

"This book provides a better understanding of the sexual health needs of Black college students at HBCUs. The book explores the intersectionality of sex, race, and culture on public health outcomes for a marginalized, yet revered sub-population. This important context is critical to inform decisions about sex and relationships, and key for mitigating contextual factors in an effort to advance sexual health for Black students!"
Thomas Alex Washington, Ph.D., professor and co-director, Center for Health Equity Research Institute, College of Health & Human Services, California State University, Long Beach, USA

"This is a timely book that contextualizes the sexual health of Black college students, specifically at HBCUs. The integration of theory, research, applications, and practice by Dr. Hall-Byers draws readers attention and provides critical strategies to improve the sexual health of our students. I look forward to using this book in my courses!"
Danielle Dickens, Ph.D., Spelman College, USA

"This book is much needed and fills a very important gap that has long existed regarding the sexual health of Black College Students at the Intersections of their social identities, lived experiences, and the social environment. Hall-Byers successfully provides educators, researchers, administrators, and health professionals with valuable insights and knowledge that can assist their health education and health promotion activities when planning and delivering interventions for Black College Students at HBCU's. Grounded in a sex positive lens, this textbook also provides important factors to consider when addressing sexual health and the use of social justice informed approaches in order to prevent stigmatization and marginalization due to social identity."
Yarneccia D. Dyson, PhD., University of North Carolina Greensboro, USA