Measurement equivalence: a glossary for comparative population health research

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 559-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Ann Morris
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Comparative Research ◽  
Measurement Equivalence ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Comparative Population

Comparative population health studies are becoming more common and are advancing solutions to crucial public health problems, but decades-old measurement equivalence issues remain without a common vocabulary to identify and address the biases that contribute to non-equivalence. This glossary defines sources of measurement non-equivalence. While drawing examples from both within-country and between-country studies, this glossary also defines methods of harmonisation and elucidates the unique opportunities in addition to the unique challenges of particular harmonisation methods. Its primary objective is to enable population health researchers to more clearly articulate their measurement assumptions and the implications of their findings for policy. It is also intended to provide scholars and policymakers across multiple areas of inquiry with tools to evaluate comparative research and thus contribute to urgent debates on how to ameliorate growing health disparities within and between countries.

scholarly journals Introduction to the Symposium: Causal Inference and Public Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison E. Aiello ◽  
Lawrence W. Green
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Causal Inference ◽  
Health Research ◽  
External Validity ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Social Epidemiology ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Internal And External Validity

Assessing the extent to which public health research findings can be causally interpreted continues to be a critical endeavor. In this symposium, we invited several researchers to review issues related to causal inference in social epidemiology and environmental science and to discuss the importance of external validity in public health. Together, this set of articles provides an integral overview of the strengths and limitations of applying causal inference frameworks and related approaches to a variety of public health problems, for both internal and external validity.

scholarly journals Health and mass unemployment events—developing a framework for preparedness and response

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 665-673
Author(s):  
A R Davies ◽  
L Homolova ◽  
C N B Grey ◽  
M A Bellis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Adverse Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Abstract Background Mass unemployment events are not uncommon yet the impact on health is not well recognised. There is a need for a preparedness and response framework, as exists for other events that threaten population health. Methods Framework informed by a narrative review of the impact of mass unemployment on health (studies published in English from 1990 to 2016), and qualitative data from 23 semi-structured interviews with individuals connected to historical national and international events, addressing gaps in published literature on lessons learnt from past responses. Results Economic and employment shock triggered by mass unemployment events have a detrimental impact on workers, families and communities. We present a public health informed response framework which includes (i) identify areas at risk, (ii) develop an early warning system, (iii) mobilise multi-sector action including health and community, (iv) provision of support across employment, finance and health (v) proportionate to need, (vi) extend support to family members and (vii) communities and (viii) evaluate and learn. Conclusion Mass unemployment events have an adverse impact on the health, financial and social circumstances of workers, families, and communities. This is the first framework for action to mitigate and address the detrimental impact of mass unemployment events on population health.

Future Directions for Incorporating Intersectionality Into Quantitative Population Health Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madina Agénor
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Historical Processes ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
One Step

Intersectionality, an analytical approach rooted in Black feminist theory and praxis, has become more widely used in population health research. The majority of quantitative population health studies have used intersectionality as a theoretical framework to investigate how multiple social identities rather than social inequalities simultaneously influence health inequities. Although a few researchers have developed methods to assess how multiple forms of interpersonal discrimination shape the health of multiply marginalized groups and others have called for the use of multilevel modeling to examine the role of intersecting dimensions of structural discrimination, critical qualitative, multidisciplinary, and community-based participatory research approaches are needed to more fully incorporate the core ideas of intersectionality—including social inequality, relationality, complexity, power, social context, and social justice—into quantitative population health research studies or programs. By more comprehensively capturing and addressing the influence of intersecting structural factors, social and historical processes, and systems of power and oppression on the health of multiply marginalized individuals, quantitative population health researchers will more fully leverage intersectionality’s transformational power and move one step closer to achieving social justice and health equity.

scholarly journals Latinx Health Disparities Research During COVID-19: Challenges and Innovations

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 544-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Harkness ◽  
Karina A Gattamorta ◽  
Yannine Estrada ◽  
Daniel Jimenez ◽  
Mariano Kanamori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Latino Health ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
Innovative Research

Abstract Background The Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities (CLaRO) supports and facilitates research addressing substance abuse, violence/trauma, and HIV/AIDS among diverse and underserved Latinx populations. CLaRO runs a pilot awards program for early-stage investigators conducting Latinx health disparities research. This pilot awards program was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating innovative responses for research continuity. Purpose The purpose of this commentary is to describe the challenges and innovative research methods developed in response to COVID-19 to continue Latinx health disparities research in the context of COVID-19. Methods/Results This commentary provides a brief description of each CLaRO pilot project, the challenges introduced by COVID-19, and innovative research methods to continue Latinx health disparities research during and beyond COVID-19. Conclusions Despite the challenges COVID-19 presents to the continuity of health disparities research, it also presents unprecedented opportunities to innovate. Such innovation is essential for solving persistent scientific, public health, and clinical challenges underlying current and emerging health disparities.

scholarly journals 3342 Developing a population health learning system

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 142-143
Author(s):  
Tony Kuo ◽  
Moira Inkelas
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Real World ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Science Methods ◽  
System Science ◽  
New Curriculum ◽  
Education Psychology ◽  
The University

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Population health research seeks to identify and address variation in needs, care experiences, and outcomes for a defined geography or subgroup. Solutions often require collective actions of complex interdependent health and social service systems in communities. System sciences focused on implementation and dissemination are vital for developing interventions that work at the intended scale in these “real world” environments; yet these approaches are often underutilized. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The UCLA Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI) co-developed a Population Health Program with the local health department to advance the practice and use of these system science methods. The vision is integrated training, methodological innovation, and real-world application in the region. One specific aim of the program is preparing investigators to apply suitable translational methods to solve population health problems in both health systems and in public health. Investigators from different parts of the university partnered with health services and public health leadership to develop and team-teach new curriculum in system sciences that integrates their disciplines (epidemiology, education, psychology, health policy and management). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: New curriculum in population and implementation/improvement sciences offers junior investigators effective modules and training opportunities that can support their career awards. The program is also increasing the receptivity and readiness of population health delivery systems to apply system science methods to pressing problems. Program metrics include total participants, research yielded by the collaboration, and skills and system science mindset acquisition among trainees, investigators, and health personnel. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: CTSAs can partner with health and public health agencies to develop shared infrastructure, developing capacity in the university and in the partnered local agencies so that investigators and the agencies that are responsible for population health can work together to apply suitable translational methods to solve population health problems in both health systems and in public health.

Reconciling Two Ethics Goals of Public Health: Reducing Health Disparities and Improving Population Health

2019 ◽  
pp. 289-300
Author(s):  
Norman Daniels
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Distributive Justice ◽  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Public Health Ethics ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Deliberative Process ◽  
Health Ethics

Two central goals of public health—the traditional one of improving population health, and the more recent one of distributing that health fairly, including reducing health inequalities—are sometimes in tension. This chapter explores aspects of that tension, and argues that while we have social obligations to meet health needs, whatever their source, we may have extra reasons to reduce unjust health inequalities. A fair and deliberative process can reduce disagreements about what priority should be given to reducing health inequalities. The chapter examines issues of distributive justice and procedural justice, and how they interact with public health ethics.

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