Rethinking Research Ethics for Latinos: The Policy Paradox of Health Reform and the Role of Social Justice

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2012.72999

The Legacy of the U. S. Public Health Service Study of Untreated Syphilis in African American Men at Tuskegee on the Affordable Care Act and Health Care Reform Fifteen Years after President Clinton's Apology

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2012.73080

Understanding the Socio-Economic, Health Systems & Policy Threats to Latino Health: Gaining New Perspectives for the Future

Abstract The emergence of the Latino population as the largest and diverse minority group in the U.S. presents challenges and opportunities for health practitioners, leaders and policy makers. Some evidence suggests that Latinos, and immigrants in particular, exhibit better health outcomes than would be expected given their average socio-economic status. Yet, overshadowing this positive health outlook are socio-economic, health system and policy barriers which disproportionately impact Latino health and well-being. This paper briefly discusses the Latino health paradox. It identifies the socio-economic, health systems barriers and public policies that threaten any potential health advantage. Finally, it suggests policy and prevention strategies for promoting the health of the largest emerging minority group in the U.S. Latinos

The Promise of Community-Based Participatory Research for Health Equity: A Conceptual Model for Bridging Evidence With Policy

Insufficient attention has been paid to how research can be leveraged to promote health policy or how locality-based research strategies, in particular community-based participatory research (CBPR), influences health policy to eliminate racial and ethnic health inequities. To address this gap, we highlighted the efforts of 2 CBPR partnerships in California to explore how these initiatives made substantial contributions to policymaking for health equity. We presented a new conceptual model and 2 case studies to illustrate the connections among CBPR contexts and processes, policymaking processes and strategies, and outcomes. We extended the critical role of civic engagement by those communities that were most burdened by health inequities by focusing on their political participation as research brokers in bridging evidence and policymaking

Participatory epidemiology: the contribution of participatory research to epidemiology

Abstract Background Epidemiology has contributed in many ways to identifying various risk factors for disease and to promoting population health. However, there is a continuing debate about the ability of epidemiology not only to describe, but also to provide results which can be better translated into public health practice. It has been proposed that participatory research approaches be applied to epidemiology as a way to bridge this gap between description and action. A systematic account of what constitutes participatory epidemiology practice has, however, been lacking. Methods A scoping review was carried out focused on the question of what constitutes participatory approaches to epidemiology for the purpose of demonstrating their potential for advancing epidemiologic research. Relevant databases were searched, including both the published and non-published (grey) literature. The 102 identified sources were analyzed in terms of comparing common epidemiologic approaches to participatory counterparts regarding central aspects of the research process. Exemplary studies applying participatory approaches were examined more closely. Results A highly diverse, interdisciplinary body of literature was synthesized, resulting in a framework comprised of seven aspects of the research process: research goal, research question, population, context, data synthesis, research management, and dissemination of findings. The framework specifies how participatory approaches not only differ from, but also how they can enhance common approaches in epidemiology. Finally, recommendations for the further development of participatory approaches are given. These include: enhancing data collection, data analysis, and data validation; advancing capacity building for research at the local level; and developing data synthesis. Conclusion The proposed framework provides a basis for systematically developing the emergent science of participatory epidemiology