Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Abirami Kirubarajan, Jackie Tsang, Susan Dong, Jeanette Hui, Padmaja Sreeram, Zuhal Mohmand, Shannon Leung, Alessandra Ceccacci, Mara Sobel
Summary: This systematic review highlights the urgent need for improved care and attention for individuals who experience pregnancy and childbirth in correctional facilities, including issues such as mental health challenges, dehumanization of prenatal care and delivery, lack of privacy and support.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alice Cavanagh, Tahmina Shamsheri, Katrina Shen, Jessica Gaber, Jessica Liauw, Meredith Vanstone, Fiona Kouyoumdjian
Summary: As rates of female incarceration increase globally, there has been a growing body of research on the impact of incarceration on the health of pregnant individuals, their newborns, and their families. This paper presents a qualitative meta-synthesis of 31 papers reporting qualitative studies on the experiences of incarcerated individuals during pregnancy, labor and childbirth, and the postpartum period. The analysis identifies connectedness (to baby) and disconnectedness (from support) as key themes characterizing the lived experiences of navigating pregnancy in a carceral institution. The authors argue that the conditions of reproductive justice are fundamentally at odds with mass incarceration. The paper concludes by considering the strategic opportunities for health practitioners and researchers to support the movement for prison abolition.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donele Wilkins, Amy J. Schulz
Summary: Communities affected by environmental exposures and health disparities recognize the role of racism in shaping these risks. More researchers are focusing on racism as a fundamental driver of racial inequities in environmental health. Research and funding institutions are committed to addressing structural racism. This article discusses strategies for taking explicitly antiracist approaches to community engagement in environmental health research.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, Fabricio Balcazar, Daniela E. Miranda, Tesania Velazquez, Caterina Arcidiacono, Manuel Garcia-Ramirez
Summary: Community-based participatory research focuses on promoting justice by giving a voice to marginalized communities and addressing their concerns. This paper presents three case studies illustrating community psychologists' efforts to promote justice, discussing the social context, partnerships, and approaches used to tackle challenges.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Elizabeth M. Allen, Ariel Frisancho, Claudia Llanten, Maren E. Knep, Michael J. Van Skiba
Summary: This study examines the impact of working as community health agents (CHAs) on the lives and self-perceptions of women in Peru. It identifies four major themes related to women's empowerment: achievements, agency, meaningfulness, and resources. The findings highlight the importance of structured community programs in empowering women and improving community health outcomes.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emily J. Tweed, Xanthippi Gounari, Lesley Graham
Summary: The study reveals that mental wellbeing among people in prison is poor, especially among those who are on remand or have multiple prison episodes. Compared to their peers at liberty, individuals in prison generally have lower levels of mental wellbeing.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Christopher R. Manz, Varshini S. Odayar, Deborah Schrag
Summary: Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals have a similar overall risk of cancer diagnosis as the general population, but have a higher risk for certain types of cancer. Both groups also have a higher cancer mortality rate compared to the general population.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Marie-Claire Van Hout, Lizz Srisuwan, Emma Plugge
Summary: This article highlights the importance of addressing the unique healthcare needs of menopausal women in prison. Despite the increasing female prison population, current guidelines and standards do not provide explicit guidance on menopausal healthcare. The study conducted a human rights assessment to examine the access to age- and gender-sensitive nondiscriminatory healthcare for menopausal women in prison since 2010.
MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jonathan Herington, Kay Connelly, Judy Illes
Summary: Digital research methodologies are revolutionizing health technology, but there is a need to engage more diverse and historically underrepresented populations. Current research ethics frameworks do not provide adequate protection in the context of diversity concerns, and a reorientation towards more participatory practices is required to meet the requirements of justice and inclusivity in digital research.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Liss Ohayon, Sharima Rasanayagam, Ruthann A. Rudel, Sharyle Patton, Heather Buren, Tony Stefani, Jessica Trowbridge, Cassidy Clarity, Julia Green Brody, Rachel Morello-Frosch
Summary: This study reports on a community-based participatory research initiated by women firefighters to investigate the links between occupational exposures and health outcomes, including breast cancer. The success factors include forming a diverse coalition, focusing on impacts at multiple scales, adopting innovative communication strategies, cultivating a prevention-based ethos, and emphasizing co-learning. External factors, such as funding programs and institutional structures, also contribute to the success of community-based participatory research.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emily Norris, Matilda Kim, Beverley Osei, Kinwah Fung, Fiona G. Kouyoumdjian
Summary: Females who experience incarceration have poorer health outcomes compared to males who experience incarceration and females in the general population. They have higher morbidity and psychiatric conditions, higher mortality rates, and frequent use of health care services, indicating a need for improved programs and policies to support their health post-release.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hedwig Lee, Christopher Wildeman
Summary: The study reveals that family member incarceration has become common, and individuals who are likely to experience this before it happens already face more disadvantages. The negative impact of family member incarceration on families emphasizes the importance of policy interventions to reduce such occurrences and improve family well-being.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Elizabeth C. Stewart, Jamaine S. Davis, Treniqka S. Walters, Zhenbang Chen, Stephania T. Miller, Jillian M. Duke, Leah R. Alexander, Sylvie A. Akohoue, Rose Russell, Nicole Rowan, Lanese Campbell, Ira Baxter, Sondrea Tolbert, Jennifer Cunningham Erves
Summary: Dissemination of research findings is crucial for improving health outcomes, but there has been limited progress in engaging basic scientists to effectively communicate study findings to the community. This article presents 4 cases of community engaged research dissemination activities and provides competencies needed for effective, community-engaged research dissemination. The activities, reflections, and competencies can serve as models for basic scientists and academic institutions in their community engaged research dissemination efforts.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karen Patricia Williams, Avery M. Anderson
Summary: To address health disparities, it is crucial to recruit underserved populations for biomedical research. Black women have been underrepresented in research, and innovative community-based strategies are needed to improve recruitment numbers and ratios. Researchers must take responsibility for employing rigorous methods to recruit Black women and ensure meaningful implications of their results.
JOURNAL OF URBAN HEALTH-BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Rachel R. Adler, Randi N. Smith, Kevin J. Fowler, Jeffery Gates, Nichole M. Jefferson, Joel T. Adler, Rachel E. Patzer
Summary: This article discusses the importance of addressing disparities in surgical care and introduces the principles and benefits of community-based participatory research (CBPR). Through collaborative partnerships between community stakeholders and researchers, CBPR can improve intervention implementation and outcomes, contributing to the advancement of surgical care.