The selection of comparators for randomized controlled trials of health-related behavioral interventions : recommendations of an NIH expert panel

Funding and logistical support for the expert panel was provided by the National Institutes of Health Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.Peer reviewedPostprin

Guidelines for research recruitment of underserved populations (EERC)

PURPOSE: Despite concerted efforts to establish health equity, significant disparities persist. One roadblock to eliminating health disparities is the inadequate recruitment of underserved populations, which prevents researchers from creating culturally-tailored interventions. To further develop the science of recruitment, we argue that a systematic approach should be applied to research participant recruitment. Given the lack of practical and comprehensive recruitment conceptual frameworks or guidelines in the literature, the authors propose newly synthesized guidelines for research recruitment of underserved populations: EERC (evaluate, engage, reflect, and carefully match). METHODS: The EERC guidelines are delineated, and the application of these guidelines is illustrated through a study recently conducted by the authors. RESULTS: The guidelines consist of the following four components: 1. Evaluate the composition of the research team; 2. Engage fully with the community by working with key informants and cultural insiders; 3. Reflect the unique cultural characteristics of the community in the research conduct; and 4. Carefully use a matching technique. The application component of the article demonstrates concrete examples of how the guidelines can enhance research recruitment for an underserved population. CONCLUSION: The authors intend these guidelines to be broadly applicable for research teams regardless of research design or characteristics of the underserved population. Application of these guidelines in nursing and health science will contribute to increasing research recruitment of underserved populations, with the goal of reducing health disparities and achieving health equity for all persons

Role of Endocrinologists in Eliminating Health Care Disparities

Objective: To review some of the persistent disparities in health and health care in the United States related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, with a focus on diabetes mellitus and obesity, and to discuss the role of endocrinologists in preventing these disparities. Methods: Some of the efforts made by the US government, such as public health strategies, to address health disparities are outlined, and statistics about diabetes and obesity are presented. Results: The elimination of health disparities, recognized as a national challenge for decades, is a national priority as defined in the national goals for Healthy People 2010. Health disparities refer to the differences in the quality of health and health care access and outcomes across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Such disparities may be related to the patient (education, socioeconomic status, environment, language), the health care system (location, structural barriers, financial resources), or the provider, including a lack of diversity in the health care workforce. Endocrinologists are responsible for the care of many patients with chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes mellitus. Both of these chronic diseases are diagnosed with increased frequency in minority populations and are preventable, difficult to manage, and associated with many complications and high health care costs. Conclusion: The role of endocrinologists is to provide equitable, affordable, accessible, high-quality, timely, cost-effective, and culturally sensitive health care. They must be involved in population health decisions and development of optimal health care policy so that endocrine disorders can ultimately be prevented. In addition, they must educate themselves, their patients, and the community regarding maintenance of healthy lifestyles to prevent complications