The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40179

Judith Samans-Dunn, MSIA, Institutional Review Board, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 321 University Ave., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-685-9439, judith.samans.dunn@phila.gov

A public health agency that incorporates research into its programs needs to establish that any research undertaken within its purview be of benefit to both the individual patients and the public that it serves.

This presentation focuses on both the real and tangential gains and constraints that the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) acquires by its participation in human subjects research. A preliminary policy proposal regarding the parameters for acceptable human subjects research is being developed with input from key PDPH officials.

The benefits of the research proposals that have been submitted to the Institutional Review Board over the last several years are being analyzed. This presentation will qualitatively describe the studies by dividing them into categories, such as direct patient benefit, knowledge benefit or program improvement. The research studies can be characterized by source of data; data type; sponsor type; principal investigator affiliation; and use of outcome.

This analysis will provide PDPH with an overview of research being performed under its auspices. The correlations that can be drawn between the benefits and characteristics of the proposals can then be compared to the preliminary policy proposal. This will enable the drafting of guidelines for acceptable types of human subjects research for PDPH. This study may provide insight for other public health agencies that must also walk the tightrope between furthering public health through appropriate research, while providing the utmost protection to the public that they serve.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Recognize the value added and liabilities of human subjects research in a public health arena
• Assess a public health department's ability to incorporate research findings into program improvements to benefit the public
• Develop parameters for acceptable human subjects research for a public health department

Keywords: Public Health Agency Roles, Research Ethics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.