Health Disparities
Centering Health Equity in Epidemiologic Research: An Introduction to the Health Equity Research Production Model Dustin Duncan* Dustin Duncan
Privilege is one of the primary causes of structural inequality and health inequality. As structural inequality increases globally, there will undoubtedly be an increase in health inequity; this has driven a commensurate increase in health equity research. The increased focus on health equity may lead to important evidence-based policy changes, potentially leading to changes in health and reductions in inequities in health. However, it is not enough to rectify health inequities. This paper introduces the Health Equity Research Production Model to the field of population health and health equity research because there is no current model in the literature focused on research production, including redressing issues of equity, fairness and justice in the production of research. The Health Equity Research Production Model focuses on research production using a framework of accountability and aims to remediate the compounded effects of privilege through systems and systems change. It prioritizes equity in the: (1) engagement with and centering of communities studied in research in all phases, (2) identities represented within research teams, (3) consideration of identities and groups awarded research grants, and (4) consideration of identities and groups considered for research products (e.g., peer-reviewed publications). This inclusive scientific approach–which directly addresses privilege inherent within the existing research production model—aims to deconstructs existing systems. The goal of the Health Equity Research Production Model is to facilitate accountability for prioritizing equity in academic research in an existing system structured on inequality, including by centering minoritized and marginalized academicians and researchers including to expand pipeline to reflect communities in need of research, creating fairness in research production while also improving the quality of the health equity research produced.
