Series: Public engagement with research. Part 2:GPs and primary care researchers working inclusively with minoritised communities in health research to help address inequalities

Public engagement in health research is vital for addressing health disparities and promoting inclusivity among minoritised communities who often face barriers to accessing healthcare. Minoritised communities are groups, which have been made minorities by a dominant culture, race, ethnic group and/or social class and may experience health inequalities as a result. By incorporating diverse perspectives and lived experiences of minoritised communities, this approach aims to achieve contextually relevant research outcomes that reduce health inequalities and improve overall well-being. However, underrepresentation and lack of inclusivity challenges persist, necessitating the establishment of inclusive partnerships and grassroots participatory methodologies. To foster inclusive public engagement, it is important to overcome structural and cultural barriers, address socioeconomic challenges, and build trust with minoritised communities. This can be achieved by promoting a cultural shift that values inclusivity, providing comprehensive training to researchers, and collecting rigorous data on engagement demographics for transparency and accountability. Involving minoritised communities in decision-making through participatory research approaches enhances trust and yields successful outcomes. Additionally, allocating sufficient resources, collaborating in co-production, and prioritising the diverse needs and perspectives of stakeholders contribute to fostering inclusive public engagement in research. Overall, inclusive engagement practices particularly in primary care research have the potential to reduce health inequalities and cater to the unique requirements of minoritised communities, thereby creating more impactful outcomes and promoting equitable healthcare access

Disparities in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Mental Health Services in the U.S.

This is one of a series of five papers outlining the particular domains and dimensions of inequality where new research may yield a better understanding of responses to this growing issue.Mental health is recognized as a central determinant of individual well-being, family relationships, and engagement in society, yet there are considerable variations in mental health and mental health care according to race and ethnicity among youth in the U.S.In their report, Margarita Alegría and colleagues investigate disparities in mental health and mental health services for minority youth. Taking a developmental perspective, the authors explore four areas that may give rise to inequalities in mental health outcomes, highlight specific protective factors and barriers to care, and, finally, outline an agenda for future research

Examining the Effects of a Motion Comic Intervention on HIV-Stigma Among a Sample of Adolescent Men Who Have Sex With Men

INTRODUCTION: HIV disproportionately affects African Americans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all racial and ethnicity groups. People living with HIV/AIDS experience stigma related to their disease. HIV/AIDS stigma can have detrimental effects on HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Entertainment-education is a health communication strategy that can be used to influence behavioral and social change in the population. AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a Motion Comic intervention, an EE strategy, can decrease H/A stigma in a sample of MSM adolescents aged 15-24. METHODS: Participants were recruited from GA, FL, NY and CA using convenience sampling. A sample of MSM adolescents aged 15-24 (n=24) was used for this study. The study design is a one-group pretest-posttest intervention. Participants were shown the Motion Comic episodes. Participants completed pre- and post-viewing surveys to assess HIV/AIDS stigma. A summed variable was used as the outcome for total HIV/AIDS stigma. A paired samples t-test was used to measure a statistically significant difference in HIV/AIDS stigma from pretest to posttest. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in HIV stigma from pre-viewing survey (M = 9.87, SD = 3.49) to post-viewing survey (M = 8.65, SD = 2.48), t (22) = 2.01, p \u3c .0285 (one-tailed). The mean decrease in HIV stigma scores was 1.22 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.177 to 2.248. The eta squared statistic (.16) indicated a large effect size. DISCUSSION: Results from this study show that viewing the Motion Comic may reduce HIV/AIDS stigma related to casual transmission of HIV and values, such as blame, shame and judgment, in MSM adolescents

Project THANKS: A Socio-Ecological Framework For An Intervention Involving HIV Positive African American Women With Comorbidities

HIV-positive individuals are living longer today as a result of continuing advances in treatment but are also facing an increased risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, and hypertension. These conditions result in a larger burden of hospitalization, outpatient, and emergency room visits. Impoverished African American women may represent an especially high-risk group due to disparities in health care, racial discrimination, and limited resources. This article describes an intervention that is based on the conceptual framework of the socio-ecological model. Project THANKS uses a community-based participatory, and empowerment building approach to target the unique personal, social, and environmental needs of African American women faced with the dual diagnosis of HIV and one or more chronic diseases. The long-term goal of this project is to identify features in the social and cultural milieu of these women that if integrated into existing harm reduction services can reduce poor health outcomes among them

Socially Isolated Cambodians in the US: Recommendations for Health Promotion

Cambodian genocide survivors experience health disparities associated with their traumatic experiences. Cambodian community organizations in the United States are severely challenged to serve these survivors. Community leaders have identified a sub-set of community members of particular concern: those at either end of the age spectrum (elders and young people) who are socially isolated. As part of a larger community-based participatory research project, we conducted a focus group with seven Cambodian community leaders from six cities that sought to better understand the phenomenon of social isolation of Cambodian elders and young people in order to inform health promotion efforts. Cambodian leaders expressed keen concern for those community members who rarely seem to leave their homes or interact with the Cambodian community. Prominent themes identified by leaders related to isolation were: a generational pattern; benefits of extended family; health concerns; the impact of stigma and fear; lack of sufficient resources; and cultural influences. In addition, leaders identified several possible solutions to address the phenomenon of social isolation in their communities. Health promotion efforts in this population should identify isolated individuals and enhance their social connectedness and support networks as part of a larger integrated effort

Annu Rev Clin Psychol

Childhood obesity has become a global pandemic in developed countries, leading to a host of medical conditions that contribute to increased morbidity and premature death. The causes of obesity in childhood and adolescence are complex and multifaceted, presenting researchers and clinicians with myriad challenges in preventing and managing the problem. This article reviews the state of the science for understanding the etiology of childhood obesity, the preventive interventions and treatment options for overweight and obesity, and the medical complications and co-occurring psychological conditions that result from excess adiposity, such as hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and depression. Interventions across the developmental span, varying risk levels, and service contexts (e.g.,community, school, home, health care systems) are reviewed. Future directions for research are offered with an emphasis on translational issues for taking evidence-based interventions to scale in a manner that will reduce the public health burden of the childhood obesity pandemic.P30 DA027828/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United StatesU18 DP006255/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU18DP006255/ACL/ACL HHS/United States2020-05-29T00:00:00Z32097572PMC72598207791vault:3554

Critical Issues for Psychiatric Medication Shared Decision Making With Youth and Families

This is the publisher's version, also found here: http://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.4135The primary aims of this article are to describe the current context for youth shared decision making (SDM) within the U.S. children’s mental health system and to identify important considerations for the development of this approach as a research and service domain. The notion is substantiated in the literature that participation in treatment decisions can prepare youth for making their own decisions as adults, can be therapeutic, and can have positive effects on their self-confidence and self-esteem. Still, the complex youth–family–provider dynamic raises important issues that need to be addressed before SDM can be successfully implemented

International Handbook of Health Literacy : Research, practice and policy across the lifespan

Okan O, Bauer U, Levin-Zamir D, Pinheiro P, Sørensen K, eds. International Handbook of Health Literacy : Research, practice and policy across the lifespan. Bristol: Policy Press, University of Bristol; 2019