Health disparities disproportionately affect historically underserved populations, such as those attending inner city schools in the USA.1 2 Access to sports medicine care is limited in high schools in the USA with a higher percentage of lower income students.3 4 Drawing from his experience as a high school athlete and collegiate basketball player at a Historically Black College or University, Dr Calvin Spellmon (figure 1) aims to improve relationships between the healthcare system and students in Birmingham, Alabama. His goal is to provide equal opportunities for students to succeed by creating partnerships in care, accessible preparticipation physical examinations (PPEs), mini health fairs, wellness initiatives and mentoring opportunities.
Figure 1
Dr Calvin Spellmon speaking with students at Birmingham City Schools.
Building trust
Dr Spellmon recognised that any effective relationship is built on trust. The primary barrier to providing healthcare services for student-athletes in Birmingham City Schools (BCSs) was a lack of trust. Unfortunately, there has and continues to be medical mistrust by African Americans due to medical exploitation and medical racism dating back to the 1800s …
