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Racial Battle Fatigue is a systemic racism-related repetitive stress injury experienced by racially minoritized individuals due to chronic exposure to offensive, racist mechanisms (OFRs), microaggressions, and systemic racism.

This page highlights ongoing research, programs, and initiatives at the Center that focus on understanding and addressing the impact of RBF in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and public policy.

    • Psychological Symptoms:
      • The Center is investigating how RBF contributes to heightened anxiety, depression, frustration, and anger among racially minoritized individuals.
    • Physical Symptoms:
      • Researchers are examining the physical toll of RBF, such as headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, and the development of chronic health conditions related to long-term racial stress.
    • Social Symptoms:
      • Studies at the Center explore the social consequences of RBF, including withdrawal from social interactions, challenges in maintaining relationships, and decreased participation in community and professional life.
    • Emotional Symptoms:
      • The emotional impact of RBF, including emotional numbness, mood swings, and exhaustion, is a key area of research, with a focus on how these symptoms disrupt daily functioning and emotional well-being.
    • Primary and Secondary Responses:
      • The Center’s research is exploring both immediate (primary) and long-term (secondary) responses to racial stressors, including how RBF exacerbates mental and physical health disparities over time.
    • Mental Health:
      • The Center’s ongoing projects focus on the connection between RBF and mental health, particularly how chronic racial stress contributes to issues like depression, anxiety, and racial trauma.
    • Physical Health:
      • Researchers are exploring the physiological impact of RBF, including how persistent racial stressors lead to conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other stress-related health issues.
    • Social Well-being:
      • Ongoing studies examine how RBF affects individuals’ social lives, leading to isolation, withdrawal, and difficulties in forming or maintaining healthy relationships within their communities.
    • Policy Implications of RBF:
      • The Center is actively researching how public policies can be informed by understanding RBF, focusing on healthcare, education, and workplace reforms that address the long-term effects of racial stress.
    • Current Research Projects:
      • The Center’s policy research initiatives include projects aimed at developing recommendations for institutional accountability, improving racial equity in health systems, and promoting inclusive environments across various sectors.
    • Videos & Speeches:
      • A key resource includes a link to Dr. Smith’s University of Utah-wide speech on Racial Battle Fatigue, offering in-depth insights into the phenomenon.
      • The Center is also curating other educational videos and webinars to help the public better understand RBF and its effects.
    • Publications and Research Papers:
      • The Center’s research team regularly publishes articles and papers exploring the various dimensions of RBF. These publications provide a deeper academic understanding of the causes, effects, and solutions to RBF.
    • Individual Healing Approaches:
      • The Center is researching individual strategies for coping with RBF, such as therapy, mindfulness practices, healing circles, Freedom Schools, “Communiversities,” and community support. This research aims to identify effective methods for building resilience against chronic racial stress.
    • Institutional Reforms:
      • Studies focus on how institutions can address RBF through trauma-informed care, mental health support, and anti-racism training, with ongoing research into effective interventions in educational, healthcare, and workplace settings.
    • Participate in Research:
      • The Center invites community members, scholars, and healthcare professionals to participate in current research studies on RBF. This includes surveys, interviews, and collaborations on new projects aimed at understanding the broader societal impact of RBF.
    • Upcoming Events:
      • Stay informed about upcoming workshops, webinars, and conferences hosted by the Center that focus on advancing research and public knowledge around Racial Battle Fatigue and health justice.
    • Summarizing Our Commitment:
      • The Center is dedicated to advancing research on Racial Battle Fatigue as a key factor in health disparities and social justice issues. We invite visitors to explore our research, engage with our resources, and contribute to ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of systemic racism on health and well-being.