The CROWNing Event on Hair Loss in Women of Color: A Framework for Advocacy and Community Engagement (FACE) Survey

Landon K Hobbs1, Stafford Brown1, Robert J Smith1

  • 1Dr. Hobbs is from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville. Mr. Brown and Dr. Smith are from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk. Dr. Smith is from the Department of Dermatology. Mr. Brown also is from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Salkey is from the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond. Dr. Harvey is from the Hampton University Skin of Color Research Institute, Virginia, and the Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group, Newport News, Virginia.

Cutis
|November 29, 2022
PubMed

Hair loss is a primary reason for women with skin of color to seek dermatologic care. In addition to physical disfigurement, patients with hair loss are more likely to report feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. There is a critical gap in dermatology advocacy efforts and educational information intended for women with skin of color. In July 2021, the Virginia Dermatology Society planned a virtual event on hair loss and practical political advocacy for women of color. Event attendees completed pre- and postevent Likert scale surveys that assessed participant attitudes, knowledge, and awareness surrounding hair loss. A resource toolkit for both patients and physicians also was created, which included articles about evaluating, diagnosing, and treating different types of hair loss that would be beneficial for dermatologists, as well as informational articles, links, and videos that would be helpful to patients. Resource toolkits combined with outreach events can be used to engage communities, disseminate information, and close gaps that have led to health care disparities.

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