What does the public want to know about health-related research?

A five year partnership, HOPE (Health Observances and Public Education), is a collaborative project among eight universities across the nation with the goal of improving public understanding of health-related research and improving scientific literacy. Focus groups were first conducted at each site to understand their perceptions and understanding about health-related research related to cancer, asthma and allergies, and lead poisoning, to explore what information is desired about research results to help the public evaluate the value of the research and its impact on public health, and to explore best methods for dissemination of health-related research. Focus groups were conducted with students in middle or high school, teachers, and the public, which included minority groups. Each facilitator was trained by the UMDNJ-SPH and used the same discussion guide for consistency. Select focus groups from each site were transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti (N=18). Results indicate that participants thought health-related research is important but do not generally understand the research process. Participants generally thought of health-related research as treatment oriented, and were skeptical about the role of the media on understanding health research. Preferred methods of dissemination and type of information desired differed depending upon the health topic and type of focus group participant. This presentation will provide a summary of public perceptions about health-related research on three health topics, characterize preferred methods of obtaining information, and identify the types of information about health studies that the public want to know when evaluating the value of health-related research.