The Science of Health Disparities Research

Integrates the various disciplines of the science of health disparities in one comprehensive volume

The Science of Health Disparities Research is an indispensable source of up-to-date information on clinical and translational health disparities science. Building upon the advances in health disparities research over the past decade, this authoritative volume informs policies and practices addressing the diseases, disorders, and gaps in health outcomes that are more prevalent in minority populations and socially disadvantaged communities. Contributions by recognized scholars and leaders in the field—featuring contemporary research, conceptual models, and a broad range of scientific perspectives—provide an interdisciplinary approach to reducing inequalities in population health, encouraging community engagement in the research process, and promoting social justice.

In-depth chapters help readers better understand the specifics of minority health and health disparities while demonstrating the importance of advancing theory, refining measurement, improving investigative methods, and diversifying scientific research. In 26 chapters, the book examines topics including the etiology of health disparities research, the determinants of population health, research ethics, and research in African American, Asians, Latino, American Indian, and other vulnerable populations. Providing a unified framework on the principles and applications of the science of health disparities research, this important volume:

    Defines the field of health disparities science and suggests new directions in scholarship and research
    Explains basic definitions, principles, and concepts for identifying, understanding and addressing health disparities
    Provides guidance on both conducting health disparities research and translating the results
    Examines how social, historical and contemporary injustices may influence the health of racial and ethnic minorities
    Illustrates the increasing national and global importance of addressing health disparities
    Discusses population health training, capacity-building, and the transdisciplinary tools needed to advance health equity

A significant contribution to the field, The Science of Health Disparities Research is an essential resource for students and basic and clinical researchers in genetics, population genetics, and public health, health care policymakers, and epidemiologists, medical students, and clinicians, particularly those working with minority, vulnerable, or underserved populations.

Contents

List of Contributors

Book Foreword

Chapter 1. Definitions, Principles, and Concepts for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research

Chapter 2. Getting Under the Skin: Pathways and Processes that Link Social and Biological Determinants of Disease

Chapter 3. Racial/Ethnic, Socioeconomic, and Other Social Determinants

Chapter 4. Behavioral Determinants in Population Health and Health Disparities Research

Chapter 5. Sociocultural Environments and Health Disparities Research: Frameworks, Methods and Promising Directions

Chapter 6. Physical Environment, and Minority Health and Health Disparities Research

Chapter 7. Genome-wide Genetic Approaches to Metabolic and Inflammatory Health Disparities

Chapter 8. Biologic Factors and Molecular Determinants in Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases

Chapter 9. Insights into the Genomic Landscape of African Ancestry Populations: Implications for Health and Disease Disparities

Chapter 10. Applying Self-report Measures in Minority Health and Health Disparities Research

Chapter 11. Conducting Community-Based Participatory Research with Minority Communities to Reduce Health Disparities

Chapter 12. Racial/Ethnic Health and Healthcare Disparities Measurement: The Application of the Principles and Methods of Causal Inference

Chapter 13. Small Area Estimation and Small Area Analysis for Minority Health and Health Disparities

Chapter 14. Applications of Big Data Science and Analytic Techniques for Health Disparities Research

Chapter 15. Complex Systems Science

Chapter 16. Improving Equity in Health Care through Multilevel Interventions

Chapter 17. Using Implementation Science to Move from Knowledge of Disparities to Achievement of Equity

Chapter 18. Health Care and Public Policy (HCPP): Challenges and Opportunities for Research

Chapter 19. Addressing Disparities in Access to High Quality Care

Chapter 20. Health Communication as a Mediator of Health and Healthcare Disparities

Chapter 21. Comparative Effectiveness Research in Health Disparity Populations

Chapter 22. The Role of Electronic Health Records and Health Information Technology in Addressing Health Disparities

Chapter 23. Precision Medicine and Health Disparities

Chapter 24. Recruitment, Inclusion, and Diversity in Clinical Trials

Chapter 25. Sexual and Gender Minority Health Disparities: Concepts, Methods, and Future Directions

Chapter 26. Workforce Diversity and Capacity Building to Address Health Disparities

Irene Dankwa-Mullan, MD, MPH,  Chief Health Equity Officer at IBM Watson Health and formerly Deputy Director, Division of Scientific Programs, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.

Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD, Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.

Kevin L. Gardner, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University and formerly Acting Scientific Director, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.

Xinzhi Zhang, MD, PhD, FACE, FRSM, Program Director, Division of Clinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and formerly Program Director, Division of Scientific Programs, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.

Adelaida M. Rosario, PhD, Office of the Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service and formerly Program Officer, Division of Scientific Programs, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.