Minority Health and Health Equity Archive

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Attributes of researchers and their strategies to recruit minority populations: Results of a national survey
(2012) Quinn, Sandra Crouse; Butler, James; Fryer, Craig S.; Garza, Mary A.; Kim, Kevin H.; Ryan, Christopher; Thomas, Stephen B.
Despite NIH mandates for inclusion, recruiting minorities is challenging for biomedical and public health researchers. Little is known about how attributes of researchers affect their choice of recruitment strategies. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by examining how use of recruitment strategies relates to other researcher characteristics. To do this, we conducted an online survey from May to August 2010 with researchers (principal investigators, research staff, and IRB members) in which we measured the number and types of recruitment strategies utilized, along with other characteristics of the researchers and their research. We identified two clusters of researchers: comprehensive researchers who utilized a greater number and more diverse and active recruitment strategies, and traditional researchers, who utilized fewer and more passive strategies. Additional characteristics that distinguished the two groups were that comprehensive researchers were more likely than traditional researchers to 1) report racial and ethnic differences as one of their specific aims or hypotheses, 2) receive federal (CDC and NIH) funding, 3) conduct behavioral or epidemiological research, and 4) have received training in conducting research with and recruiting minorities. Traditional researchers, on the other hand, were more likely to conduct clinical research and a greater (though non-significant) percentage received funding from pharmaceutical sources. This study provides a novel description of how researcher attributes are related to their recruitment strategies and raises a number of future research questions to further examine the implications of this relationship.
Toward a fourth generation of disparities research to achieve health equity
(2011) Thomas, Stephen B.; Quinn, Sandra Crouse; Butler, James; Fryer, Craig S.; Garza, Mary A.
Achieving health equity, driven by the elimination of health disparities, is a goal of Healthy People 2020. In recent decades, the improvement in health status has been remarkable for the U.S. population as a whole. However, racial and ethnic minority populations continue to lag behind whites with a quality of life diminished by illness from preventable chronic diseases and a life span cut short by premature death. We examine a conceptual framework of three generations of health disparities research to understand (a) data trends, (b) factors driving disparities, and (c) solutions for closing the gap. We propose a new, fourth generation of research grounded in public health critical race praxis, utilizing comprehensive interventions to address race, racism, and structural inequalities and advancing evaluation methods to foster our ability to eliminate disparities. This new generation demands that we address the researcher's own biases as part of the research process.
Racial Differences in Parents' Distrust of Medicine and Research
(2009) Rajakumar, Kumaravel; Thomas, Stephen B.; Musa, Donald; Almario, Donna; Garza, Mary A.
Objective To assess and compare the attitudes and trust that African American and white parents have toward their children participating in research. Design Self-administered, cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of parents. Setting Primary Care Center at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from August 2004 through April 2005. Participants One hundred ninety parents (140 African American and 50 white parents). Outcome Measure Parental distrust of medical research as measured by a summative score of distrusting responses to 8 questions assessing trust in research. Results African American parents had significantly greater distrust than white parents (67% vs 50%, P = .04). Education was also associated with having significantly greater distrust (74% of those with
BCHS 2526 Health Disparities Research: Methods and Interventions
(2008) Garza, Mary A.; Fryer, Craig S.
This course will examine the challenges and methods in the implementation of health disparities research and interventions. It is intended to both complement and expand the knowledge gained in other BCHS courses by focusing specifically on minority/underserved populations. The course will explore readings and foster discussions that will include: ethics and research in minority/underserved communities; issues, barriers and facilitators to engaging minority/underserved communities in health research; examining basic research questions in minority health; understanding the application of research findings to program development; how to integrate theory and research, and issues and challenges of program implementation. An overarching goal is to increase awareness and knowledge of research on minority health, as well as unique issues to consider when engaging in public health research and practice in these communities. The purpose of this class is to introduce basic issues, challenges, and opportunities that are encountered in health disparities research and interventions. Current research and resources from minority health and health disparities literature will provide the background for student assignments.

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