FIGHTING FOR OUR HEALTH: BARRIERS AND PATHWAYS TO INCREASE PRIMARY CARE PARTICIPATION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN

Black American men experience disproportionately poor health outcomes and lower rates of engagement with primary care services in the United States, contributing to significant disparities in preventable disease management and life expectancy. This thesis investigates the multifaceted barriers to primary care access among Black men in urban settings through a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic literature review with community-based interviews conducted at barbershops in Chicago, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. The study reveals key obstacles including medical mistrust, lack of perceived need, time and transportation constraints, and stigmas associated with certain health conditions. Additionally, it highlights regional variations in access and underscores the importance of sociocultural context in shaping health behaviors. Participants expressed a strong preference for care models that emphasize trust, cultural competence, and community engagement—such as mobile clinics, telehealth, extended clinic hours, and increased Black physician representation. The findings point to the effectiveness of community-based interventions and stress the need for healthcare systems to meet Black men where they are, both physically and culturally, in order to foster trust and improve health outcomes. This work aims to inform future health equity strategies and medical education by centering the lived experiences and voices of Black men in shaping solutions to longstanding disparities in healthcare access and utilization.