Innovative Research Methods and Practices to address Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Diverse Populations in Hawai`i

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: The elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities continues to remain a national priority. Despite the tremendous progress that has been made to address these disparities, we remain far from achieving this goal, as the terms “race” and “ethnicity” take on a more complex meaning with the rapid growth of minority, immigrant, and multi-racial and multi-ethnic population of our nation. Using Hawai`i as a case study, we explore research methods and public health practices that can better serve the state's diverse racial and ethnic populations.

METHODS: In building our research and practice recommendations, we conducted an inductive and selective literature review of current studies related to addressing racial and ethnic health disparities.

RESULTS: Methods such as multi-level modeling, qualitative inquiry, and a composite index development can aid in our quest to better understand the context of race and ethnicity and how it interacts with other social, cultural, environmental, and institutional factors that lead to certain health outcomes. In terms of practice, public health practitioners should develop interventions within the context of the community and focus on commonalities of community members beyond race and ethnicity that are modifiable.

CONCLUSIONS: Additional research that incorporates novel methodologies and creative evidence-based interventions are urgently needed to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Eliminating these disparities is paramount because the prosperity of our nation very much depends on a just and more equitable society.