Diversity In Mental Health HIV/AIDS Research Critical, Says Commentary

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 27 Feb 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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In a lead commentary for this special supplement to the Journal, the authors argue the importance of ensuring racial and ethnic diversity in HIV/AIDS research. The supplement focuses on the recent epidemiological trends associated with HIV infection in diverse populations. It also addresses the need for mentoring programs to study these disparities and to include the underrepresented work force within these mentoring programs. The authors stress the need to diversify the scientific work force, not just on the premise of fairness and equity, but also to ensure full participation by all Americans.

"Diversity in the research work force promotes research that is sensitive to and inclusive of the needs and concerns of underrepresented racial/ethnic groups," said the commentary's authors. "The evidence is quite clear: underrepresented racial/ethnic groups have relatively unmet needs for HIV care compared with less disadvantaged groups," they say. "There is a need for improvement in the research agenda so that promising practices and solutions can be identified, and the needs and concerns of underrepresented groups satisfactorily met."

[From: "The Case for Diversity in Research on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS" David M. Stoff, PhD, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Md].

The American Journal of Public Health is the monthly Journal of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. APHA is a leading publisher of books and periodicals promoting sound scientific standards, action programs and public policy to enhance health.

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