Health literacy is defined as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.”1 Individuals with health disparities are more likely to have poor health outcomes and misuse health care services due to low health literacy. This connection between health literacy and health disparities demonstrates the need for clinicians to provide health literate care. Athletic trainers serve as essential points of contact for diverse patient populations in a variety of health care settings. The 2023 Practice Analysis 8 recognizes health literacy as an essential responsibility; however, few practical resources exist, and research specific to athletic training is lacking. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a primer on health literacy definitions, concepts, and best practices adapted from public health to support implementation into athletic training clinical practice.
Improving access to athletic trainers and increasing diversity in the profession have been major goals of the Strategic Alliance, with a particular interest in the secondary school setting. Within many marginalized communities, individuals are often faced with a lack of resources, high rates of poverty, and limited access to health care. This social and economic climate often extends to inequitable athletic training services and patterns of disparate health. Widely used and recognized strategies to cultivate diversity and address health inequities include community-engaged partnerships; however, these approaches are not well implemented across the athletic training discipline. Successful community-engaged partnerships link communities and universities, and they are rooted in intentionality to address intermediate and long-term health equity outcomes. Athletic training professionals and scholars frequently encounter gaps in resources and process-oriented methods to participate in community-engaged efforts that could include a roadmap or pathway to follow. To bridge this gap, our aims were 2-fold: (1) to disseminate a roadmap for building sustainable community-engaged partnerships in athletic training with the intent of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice across athletic training education, research, and professional service and (2) to demonstrate how the roadmap can be implemented using a community-based athletic training education camp as an example. Implementation of the athletic training camp using the roadmap took place at secondary schools where community-engaged partnerships have been established throughout a geographic region known as the Alabama Black Belt, a region burdened with poor health outcomes, limited athletic trainer presence, and lower quality of life, exacerbated by racial and socioeconomic inequalities. Implementing this roadmap as a strategy to build sustainable community-engaged partnerships offers an innovative, interactive, and effective approach to addressing community needs by exposing secondary school students to the athletic training profession, advancing equitable athletic training research practices, and upholding and promoting the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in athletic training education.
Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a prevalent injury. Significant disparities in SRC outcomes exist across racial and ethnic groups. These disparities may be attributed to the unequal distribution of political power (or influence) and resource allocation in various communities, shaping individuals’ social determinants of health (SDOH). However, the influence of SDOH on SRC outcomes remains understudied. In this clinical commentary, we use the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework and describe how its application can help address gaps in our understanding of SDOH and SRC. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to investigating and addressing health disparities by considering SDOH along multiple levels and domains of influence. Using this framework, athletic trainers can identify areas requiring intervention and better understand how SDOH influence SRC outcomes. This understanding can help athletic trainers develop tailored interventions to promote equitable care for patients with SRC.
Geographic disparities exist in trauma care (ie, “trauma center desert”) within the United States. An athletic trainer (AT) on site at secondary schools (SSs) may help enhance collaboration with emergency medical systems and potentially lead to better outcomes after catastrophic injuries. However, access to AT services relative to the location of level I or II (ie, tertiary) trauma centers remains unknown. To visualize and describe the distance between SSs and trauma centers and compare access to AT services across the United States. Cross-sectional study. Public and private SSs with interscholastic athletics programs in the United States. Survey data obtained through the Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) project database between September 2019 and April 2023. The minimum distance from each SS to a tertiary trauma center was calculated on Tableau Desktop by geocoding with longitude and latitude. The status and level of AT employment were obtained from the ATLAS project database. The odds and percentages of access to AT services were examined by distance ranges. A total of 18 244 SSs were included in the analyses. Of these, 75% (n = 13 613) were located within 50 miles (81 km) of a tertiary trauma center. The odds of access to AT services were 2.74 (95% CI = 2.56, 2.93) times greater in SSs situated within 50 miles of a tertiary trauma center (P < .001). Additionally, SSs located more than 60 miles (97 km) from a tertiary trauma center had decreased access to AT services (R2 = 0.9192). This study highlighted the geographic disparities in distance to trauma care for SSs in the United States. Those SSs located more than 60 miles from trauma centers had reduced odds of access to AT services. Identification of geographic trends of AT services relative to the location of tertiary trauma centers is a critical first step in preventing fatal consequences of catastrophic injuries.Context
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Evidence suggests neighborhood contexts play a vital role in shaping the availability and diversity of youth sport and participation rates, especially for African American or Black girls. Currently, no index captures interscholastic sport opportunities (eg, sport diversity) within and across school districts and specifically applied to African American or Black girls. To visualize the inequalities present in interscholastic sport opportunities for girls across school districts using a novel index in a selected study area of St Louis City and County, Missouri, and discuss the implications for African American or Black girls. Cross-sectional study. Database secondary analysis. Data for 47 public high schools in the 23 St Louis City and County school districts. We gathered data from the 2014–2018 American Community Survey and Missouri State High School Activities Association. We assessed sport diversity for girls by constructing a sport diversity index (SDI) that uses an entropy index as its foundation. Census-tract data were used to examine the association with neighborhood demographics and contributors to school district income and sport diversity. Descriptive spatial statistics were calculated to evaluate distributions in St Louis City and County, with the bivariate local indicator of spatial autocorrelation used to determine any correlations between variables of interest. The St Louis City school district, which has areas with high rates of renter-occupied housing and poverty and high percentages of non-Hispanic African American or Black students, had the lowest SDI for girls, contrasted with the school districts in St Louis County, which showed an inverse pattern on average. The SDI for girls was correlated with the percentages of renter-occupied housing and poverty. The SDI for girls was also correlated with race: an increasing presence of the non-Hispanic African American or Black population was associated with decreased sport diversity for girls. The SDI for girls demonstrated a spatial association with neighborhood-level determinants of sport-opportunity availability for non-Hispanic African American or Black girls in St Louis. The role of social and political determinants of health in shaping community context and resultant health in athletic training research, policy, and practice should be considered.Background
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As colleges and universities continue to focus on creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments, it is important to gain more knowledge on the experiences that Muslim student-athletes have while fasting during the month of Ramadan. Although previous researchers have investigated the physical effects of fasting on the body, little is known about the challenges or support Muslim student-athletes experience while fasting and participating in sport during Ramadan. To explore the experiences of Muslim collegiate student-athletes regarding fasting during Ramadan while participating in sports. Qualitative research study. Individual video interviews. Twelve Muslim collegiate student-athletes (4 women, 8 men; age = 19.9 ± 1.4 years) from 7 universities across 7 states were interviewed. A semistructured interview guide consisting of questions pertaining to the Muslim student-athletes’ beliefs, challenges, experiences, and feelings was developed to gather perceptions of fasting during Ramadan while participating in sport. Data were analyzed by a multianalyst research team and coded into common themes and categories via a multiphase consensus process. Four major themes emerged from the interview process: the significance of fasting and Ramadan (familial influence, religious belief, and introspection and spiritual growth), intrinsic challenges (physical challenges, mental and emotional challenges, and time constraints), extrinsic challenges (lack of available resources, knowledge and curiosity of others, and lack of understanding by others), and various types of support (sport-specific support, community support, and desired support) that affected athletes’ experiences with fasting during Ramadan while participating in sport. The athletic community should seek to better support Muslim student-athletes and respect the importance of fasting during Ramadan. Parties interested in the success of these athletes in sport should improve their understanding regarding Ramadan and the desired support of Muslim student-athletes during fasting.Context
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Injury-prevention programs (IPPs) have been effective in reducing lower extremity injury rates, but user compliance plays a major role in their effectiveness. Race and collegiate division may affect attitudes toward participation in IPPs and compliance in female collegiate athletes. To compare attitudes toward IPPs based on race and collegiate division. Cross-sectional study. Survey. A total of 118 female collegiate athletes (age = 19.71 ± 1.47 years, height = 169.46 ± 9.09 cm, mass = 69.57 ± 11.57 kg) volunteered. Participants completed the Health Belief Model Scale and the Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS) on 1 occasion. The Health Belief Model Scale contains 9 subscales (perceived susceptibility, perceived consequences, fear of injury, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, community-led self-efficacy, individual self-efficacy, general health cues, external health cues), whereas the TPBS has 5 subscales (perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived social norms, social influence, intention to participate). The independent variables were race (White versus Black, Indigenous, and other people of color [BIPOC]) and National Collegiate Athletic Association division (I and III). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to detect differences in attitudes toward IPP participation based on race and collegiate division. White female athletes perceived fewer TPBS barriers to participation in IPPs (P = .003) and more community-led self-efficacy when compared with BIPOC female athletes (P = .009). Division I athletes perceived a greater fear of injury (P = .002) and more general health cues (P = .01) than Division III athletes. For lower extremity IPPs, BIPOC and Division III female collegiate athletes may need different implementation strategies. Individuals who identify as BIPOC may benefit from interventions focusing on solutions for common barriers to participation and improving community-led self-efficacy, and Division III athletes may benefit from interventions focusing on education related to the risk of injury and general preventive health behaviors.Context
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The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, fifth edition (Child SCAT5), is among the most widely used international pediatric concussion evaluation tools. However, the tool’s English-only aspect may limit its use for patients who speak different languages. Prior researchers have suggested one’s preferred language (ie, home language) could be associated with concussion assessments in adults, yet how this might affect pediatric athletes is not well understood. To compare baseline Child SCAT5 assessment outcomes between middle school athletes whose home language was Spanish and matched control athletes whose home language was English. Case-control study. Middle school athletics. Athletes self-reported their home language (ie, language spoken at home). Those indicating their home language was Spanish were individually matched to athletes who spoke English at home on age, sex, sport, school, and pertinent comorbidities (eg, concussion history). The final sample consisted of 144 athletes (Spanish home language = 72, English home language = 72). We used Mann-Whitney U tests to compare the Child SCAT5 component scores of the home language groups (ie, Spanish versus English). Athletes in the Spanish home language group scored lower on the Standardized Assessment of Concussion—Child version (P < .01, r = −0.25), Immediate Memory (P < .01, r = −0.45), and total modified Balance Error Scoring System scores (P < .01, r = −0.25) than the English home language group. Matched athletes whose home language was Spanish versus English scored differently on baseline Child SCAT5 assessment components. Those with the home language of Spanish scored lower on cognitive and balance tasks than those whose home language was English. These findings may serve as a rationale for the development of future concussion assessment tools to properly capture clinically relevant data regarding language differences among pediatric athletes.Context
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Football sport participation has been linked to both positive and negative effects on overall health. Social support, a network that provides individuals with resources to cope effectively, may positively influence one’s stress and mental health. However, little research has been conducted on adolescent football players. To examine the relationships among social support, psychological stress, and mental health in adolescent football athletes. Cross-sectional study. High school athletes during the precompetitive and postcompetitive football season in rural Alabama. Black and African American adolescent athletes (N = 93) competing for a school-sponsored football team. After a competitive season, participants completed a battery of social support, psychological stress, and mental health symptom measures using the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Application and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. The T-score means, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression analyses were calculated. Social support was negatively correlated with psychological stress (emotional support, r = −0.386; family relationships, r = −0.412; peer relationships, r = −0.265) and mental health (depression, r = −0.367 and r = −0.323 for emotional support and family relationships, respectively), whereas psychological stress and mental health (depression, r = 0.751; anxiety, r = 0.732) were positively correlated. In regression analyses, social support measures (ie, emotional support, family relationships, and peer relationships) were used to predict psychological stress (F = 7.094, P < .001, R2 = 0.191), depression symptoms (F = 5.323, P < .001, R2 = 0.151), and anxiety symptoms (F = 1.644, P = .190, R2 = 0.052). In line with the stress-buffering hypothesis, social support in the form of family relationships and overall emotional support garnered through sport participation may reduce psychological stress and help to preserve the mental health of football athletes. These findings indicate that perceived social support may act as a positive resource for the coping of Black and African American adolescent athletes. Further research is warranted to understand the effects of stress and social support on the mental health of adolescents, particularly racial and ethnic minorities who are underrepresented in the athletic training literature.Context
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Marching band (MB) artists experience stressors influencing their physical, mental, and emotional health warranting medical support, and they face challenges similar to those of other college students and athletes. Mental health illnesses exist in collegiate and MB settings, but barriers affect access to treatment. To examine MB artists’ perceived barriers to and attitudes toward seeking care from mental health professionals. The secondary aim was to explore barriers to and attitudes about seeking mental health counseling between genders and history of pursuing mental health counseling. Cross-sectional study. Online survey. A total of 534 MB artists (women = 312, men = 222; age = 19.7 ± 1.4 years). Participants completed surveys on demographics and past medical history along with the Barriers to Help Seeking Checklist, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help-Short Form Scale (ATSPPH-SF), and the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale (MHSAS). Descriptive statistics were calculated to assess demographic data. Cross-tabulations and χ2 statistics were used to evaluate individual barriers (Barriers to Help Seeking Checklist) between genders. Scales were scored 1 to 7 and 10 to 30 on the MHSAS and ATSPPH-SF, respectively. A 1-way analysis of variance measured differences in the total mean score on the ATSPPH-SF between genders. The highest barrier reported was lack of time to seek services (69.1%; n = 369), followed by 47.6% (n = 254) for services not available during my free time. Average scores were 4.0 ± 0.4 on the MHSAS (indicating neutral attitudes toward seeking help) and 17.97 ± 5.48 on the ATSPPH-SF (indicating slightly positive attitudes to seeking help). No differences were seen for the total mean scores on the MHSAS and ATSPPH-SF between genders. Marching band artists’ barriers to and attitudes toward mental health care influenced their ability to seek care in times of need and demonstrated some similarities to those of collegiate athletes. Awareness of the obstacles MB artists face in receiving mental health care will assist health care providers in advocating for improved care in this setting.Context
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For gender-diverse (GD) college marching band (MB) artists, the risks for anxiety and depression may be higher as they navigate the demands and stressors associated with MB, college, and their gender identity. To examine the risks of anxiety and depression across GD MB artists and to explore their barriers and attitudes toward seeking mental health (MH) care. Cross-sectional study. Online survey. Seventy-eight GD individuals (transgender = 12, nonbinary = 66, age = 19 ± 1 years). A survey was used to assess demographics, anxiety risk using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, depression risk using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and barriers and attitudes using the Barriers Towards Seeking Help Checklist, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form, and the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale. We calculated descriptive statistics and univariate analyses to evaluate scores, risks, and differences between MH and receiving assistance. Participants had high state anxiety (mean = 52.0 ± 112.1), trait anxiety (mean = 55.2 ± 10.0), and symptoms of depression (mean = 30.4 ± 12.0) based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Overall, 78.2% (n = 61 of 78) of GD MB artists were considered at risk for both state and trait anxiety and depression, and 18% (n = 11 of 61) did not seek help from an MH professional. These GD MB artists cited a lack of time (82.1%; n = 64 of 78) as the primary barrier to seeking professional help. The mean score on the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form for all GD artists was 19.5 ± 5.0, and the total score for the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale was 47.8 ± 9.2, which indicated more favorable attitudes toward seeking professional help. We identified high rates of clinical symptoms for depression and anxiety among GD MB artists. The data are consistent with those from other minority populations and above the normative values for cisgender students. The lack of help-seeking behaviors in nearly 15% of at-risk participants highlights the need for specialized resources for GD patients and those participating in MB.Context
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Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) are individuals with sexual orientations, gender identities, or expressions (or a combination of these) that differ from cultural norms. Sexual and gender minorities often face workplace discrimination and report decreased physical and emotional well-being from discrimination. To explore the workplace climate of SGM athletic trainers (ATs). Sequential mixed-methods study. Web-based survey and interviews. Criterion sampling of SGM ATs (117 survey participants and 12 interview participants). We modified the LGBTQ Inclusion Assessment and the Organizational Self-Assessment for the survey and developed a semistructured interview script (scale-level content validity index = 0.94). We used means ± SDs, frequencies (%), and the consensual qualitative research tradition to characterize participant responses. Trustworthiness was established through reflexivity (researchers checking bias throughout the research process), member-checking, multianalyst triangulation, and internal and external auditing. Participants indicated their workplace was inclusive (24 [20.5%]), somewhat inclusive (29 [24.8%]), or not inclusive (14 [12.0%]) or did not indicate at all (50 [42.7%]). Respondents most often noted they were unsure of which stage of change their organizations and organizational units were in addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, pansexual, intersex, asexual, 2-spirit, and all within the community of queer and transspectrum identities (LGBTQPIA+) concerns in the workplace as well as specific actions taken for inclusion. Two domains emerged from the interview data: safety and inclusion. The safety domain represented aspects of the workplace climate that made participants feel safe and includes organizational initiatives (12/12), patient-centered policies (7/12), local and federal regulations (7/12), and signaling (12/12). The inclusion domain represented how participants felt a sense of belonging to the organization through their own experience (12/12), through the experiences of their patients (9/12), and through an infrastructure designed for inclusion (12/12). Participants expressed both affirmative and negative feelings of safety and inclusion throughout their responses. Organizations must take both structural and cultural actions to address the concerns of exclusion and lack of safety.Context
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Early professional (EP) athletic trainers (ATs) may encounter adjustments and develop individual identities to master a new role, which can be difficult while transitioning from student to autonomous professional. Previous literature lacks content about the transition to practice of credentialed ATs who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). To identify challenges during the professional education and transition to practice of EP ATs identifying as BIPOC. Qualitative study. Virtual interviews. Fifteen recently credentialed ATs (13 women, 2 men; age = 26.73 ± 1.41 years, experience = 13.80 ± 4.03 months) who self-identified as BIPOC. We used an interview guide, validated by peer (n = 1) and expert (n = 3) review, to structure the data collection sessions. Data saturation guided recruitment, and we achieved theoretical redundancy after the final interview. We analyzed the data with a phenomenological approach and used multianalyst triangulation (n = 2) and peer review (n = 2) as credibility strategies. All participants mentioned being victims of microaggressions because of their race during either their professional preparation, work environment, or both. Those who chose to report the incidents felt a lack of support from work supervisors, faculty, peers, and preceptors. Participants noted a preference for racially concordant mentoring to facilitate talking to a person who could better understand BIPOC EPs’ experiences. Respondents also relied on outside support from friends and family as coping mechanisms. Finally, participants experienced perceived incompetency from supervisors due to their limited work experience as EPs and felt their professional preparation was stunted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants perceived that their transition to practice was stressful due to the microaggressions encountered, a lack of support, and a lack of racially concordant mentoring. Diversity, equity, and inclusion training should be incorporated into athletic training education and workspaces to assist in providing more welcoming environments for BIPOC EP ATs and students.Context
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Limited research exists regarding athletic trainers’ (ATs’) perceptions of professionalism. To explore the lived experiences of ATs and their perceptions of professionalism. Qualitative study. Participants were ATs who completed a semistructured interview protocol via audio-only recording conferencing. Seventeen participants (age = 33 ± 8 years; range = 25–56 years) who were certified ATs with an average of 10 years of experience (SD = ±8; range = 1–33 years) were interviewed. Individuals self-identified their interest in participating in a follow-up interview recruitment located within a survey. Interviews occurred until saturation was met and included a variety of participants. Demographic information was gathered from the survey for each person. All transcripts were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using a 3-person coding team following the consensual qualitative research protocol. Member checking, auditing, and triangulation established trustworthiness and credibility in the data-analysis process. A total of 4 domains with supporting categories were identified. Athletic trainers spoke of the employee environment that affected perceptions of what was determined to be professional, specifically in various settings or situations. They shared their personal determination of outward appearance and expression when differentiating what was deemed professional, including references to cleanliness, judgment of self-expression, and implicit bias. Whether intentional or unintentional, participants made comments that demonstrated a bias toward sex or race and ethnicity when determining outward appearance appropriateness. They noted various cultural awareness situations, including progression of perceptions over time, external pressure, and internal dialog. Respondents shared discourse regarding an internal struggle of what was right and wrong in their responses. They discussed professionalism based on the provider’s conduct, mainly in terms of communication and patient care. Participants shared that communication occurring through both verbal and nonverbal means is vital to the perceptions of professionalism for ATs. Current views of professionalism in athletic training were shaped by various lived experiences. With the movement toward athletic training becoming more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, antiquated professionalism ideals need to shift to provide a better work environment for all.Context
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Professionalism has been discussed and defined in a variety of ways, including attire and other forms of self-expression. To determine athletic trainer (AT), physical therapist (PT), and athletic training or PT students’ perceptions of appearance-based professionalism in the workplace and, secondly, to ascertain how perceptions differed across professions. Cross-sectional study. Web-based survey. Athletic trainers, PTs, and athletic training and PT students who were predominantly White, non-Hispanic, female, aged 30 ± 9 years, and recruited via listservs and social media. The independent variables were participant demographics. The dependent variables were self-reported perceptions of professionalism for each photo. The survey consisted of 3 sections: demographics, 8 photos of ATs or PTs with depictions of patient-provider interactions, and open-ended responses. For each photo, participants selected yes, no, or unsure regarding the photo. An open-ended response was prompted with a no or unsure selection. The participant further described the reason for that choice. Most participants determined the health care provider depicted in 7 photos appeared professional. Only 1 photo was deemed unprofessional by the professional majority. Significant differences existed between students and professionals for 5 photos. The proportion of participants who reported the photos were unprofessional differed among professions for 2 photos. From our qualitative analysis, we found 6 domains: (1) unprofessional attire and hair, (2) situation-dependent attire, (3) role confusion and health care employer or employee identification, (4) nonappearance related, (5) tattoo-related bias, and (6) rethinking after question is displayed. What is considered appropriate and professional is not concrete. Differing concepts of professionalism generated biased judgments and criticisms. Our findings should lead providers to reexamine the definition of professionalism. The past should not dictate the future, and today’s social mores can help shape the definition as it should be considered in today’s settings.Context
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JAT eISSN: 1938-162X
JAT ISSN: 1062-6050
ATEJ ISSN: 1947-380X