Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105127

Emily E. Anderson, MPH, Center for Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University, 221 North Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63101, (314) 977-6667, andersee@slu.edu

There is a growing consensus in public health that strategies aiming to improve health at the population level should include the active involvement of community members. Participatory research methods are frequently claimed to build trust with communities and protect them from exploitation – implying “more ethical” research. However, it cannot be assumed that simply adding community participation into the mix improves human subjects protections or guarantees responsible conduct of research. Participatory research methods present unique ethical concerns that may require a re-conception of the Belmont principles of respect for persons and beneficence from how they are traditionally applied in human subjects research. This presentation will discuss the unique ethical issues that arise in participatory research. The concept of community can present ethical questions in terms of definition, diversity, and representation, and informed consent. The collaborative relationship between researchers and community members and the intended equity of this partnership raises additional ethical concerns. It will be argued that the ethical requirements for participatory research in public health differ systematically from the ethical requirements of other types of research with human subjects. As participatory research methods proliferate in public health, researchers, community members, IRBs, and others who conduct research or review research protocols need to be aware of the unique ethical issues and the accompanying responsibilities of academic researchers and community partners. Raising awareness and ensuring more ethical participatory research will require changes in public health scholarship, education and training in research ethics and responsible conduct of research, and institutional policy.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three specific ethical issues unique to the use of participatory methods in public health
• Articulate the ethical responsibilities of investigators and community partners in participatory research
• Evaluate the ethicality of public health research using participatory methods

Keywords: Participatory Research, Research Ethics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation