Ethnicity and Health Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK.
J Public Health (Oxf). 2012 Jun;34(2):167-73. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fds004. Epub 2012 Feb 24.
Reducing ethnic inequalities and inequities in health needs to become a higher priority for public health research. Active involvement of migrant and ethnic minority populations in European population health research is necessary, for data show important inequalities but evidence, particularly on effectiveness, is sparse and strategic overviews rarer still. Ethnically disaggregated health surveillance systems are developing slowly, and pragmatically, often using country of birth. The principles to adopt, given the gaps between the ideal and the current reality, need wider discussion. Ethics may provide both principles and impetus. Doing no harm, doing good, respecting the research participants' autonomy are good starting points. More emphasis is needed on justice, fairness and equality, participation and communicating effectively. Ethnic minority groups are willing participants in trials once linguistic and trust-related barriers are overcome, though recruitment costs are higher. Guidelines and strategies by European bodies with research funding or enforcement responsibilities are needed. The research community needs an infrastructure within which to collect and utilize evidence. Research can help migrant and ethnic minority groups to participate more fully in our multi-ethnic societies.
减少健康方面的族裔不平等和不公平现象需要成为公共卫生研究的更高优先事项。有必要让移徙者和少数族裔人口积极参与欧洲人口健康研究，因为数据显示存在重要的不平等现象，但证据稀缺，尤其是关于有效性的证据，而战略性综述则更为罕见。族裔分类健康监测系统发展缓慢，而且往往出于实际考虑，通常使用出生地。鉴于理想与当前现实之间存在差距，需要更广泛地讨论应采用的原则。伦理学可以提供原则和动力。不伤害、做好事、尊重研究参与者的自主权是良好的起点。需要更加重视正义、公平和平等、参与和有效沟通。一旦克服了语言和信任相关的障碍，少数族裔群体就愿意参与试验，尽管招募成本更高。有研究经费或执法责任的欧洲机构需要制定指导方针和战略。研究界需要一个基础设施，以便收集和利用证据。研究可以帮助移徙者和少数族裔群体更充分地参与我们的多种族社会。
