Lost in translation and political will: research and policy as a means to advance human rights.(Postlude)(Report)

My grandfather, Fred L. Tyson, was a subject of the U.S. Public Health Syphilis Study at Tuskegee. The Syphilis Study remains the most infamous biomedical research study conducted in this country. Like many of the other 300 men in the study, my grandfather was an uneducated sharecropper. Many of the protocols and ethical standards that are in place today to protect human research subjects are a direct result of the abuse of power, loss of life, and breach in trust that occurred during this thirty-five year study.

My grandfather was fortunate to be a study survivor who went on to live a long life after his involvement in the study. As a child, I enjoyed listening to his stories about growing up poor in Tuskegee, in the early 1900s. Often times, he would end his stories by offering words of wisdom and lessons he learned from past life experiences. I vividly remember his colorful stories and how they would invoke my imagination as a girl. Today my heightened sense of compassion for impoverished communities and the need to explore past and current socioeconomic trends and their impact on human rights is due in part to my grandfather's stories.

Societal ills that continue to plague our world such as unequal health status and education attainment, poor living conditions, and oppression through violence are sustained through a plethora of wide reaching issues. Many of these challenges are created and sustained by longstanding root causes. Some of these complex determinants have been in place since the earth's earliest civilizations. Their vigour and continued existence do not suggest to me that solutions, cures, or common ground cannot be discovered. They signify the need for the development of multifaceted approaches driven by research to cultivate social change.

The broad overarching goals of research are to identify errors to previous thoughts, solutions to existing problems, and explanations for unanswered questions. Research also provides estimations or projections for what may lie ahead. The field of research will continue to be a catalyst for change and progress as many of the world's questions biologically, philosophically, and socially, have yet to be answered. While the need for research continues, many challenges exist in unleashing its full power to influence or create social change.

Jan L.A. van de Snepscheut once said, "In theory, theory and practice are the same thing. In practice they're not." Not only does this quote make the most compelling case for examining how we as researchers and practitioners dialogue with one another on the same issue, it highlights the ever pressing need for us to strengthen the translation of research findings to practitioners and beyond.

Since data and trends are the most pressing and significant factors that guide the creation and analysis of anything from effective medical therapies to environmental policies; it is not surprising that researchers, from all fields, play a dynamic and critical role in improving human rights. The more difficult questions ask how to:

... translate and disseminate research findings such as unequal access and racism to world audiences to strengthen momentum for a more humane world;

... form a more unified bond between researchers and practitioners that celebrates differences while allowing both research and practice methods to be made malleable based on research and practice recommendations;

... convene researchers from different fields to explore and identify environmental, economic, and biological commonalities among the world's communities; and

... engage and influence the world's policymakers, religious, and opinion leaders in an effort to create new laws and regulations, provide resources where lacking, and promote political and moral will.

Creative approaches to these questions must be identified and strategically implemented to assist efforts seeking to uplift humanity. As we explore these innovative approaches it is important to ask an important final question, how can each field of research play a greater role in the struggle for human rights. As we face a world that becomes smaller with each passing day through technology; a nation (the United States) that becomes more racially and ethnically diverse; environmental trends that indicate the need to address energy resources; and a world population that's poverty rate continues to be a looming threat to our health and economic development; let us recognize our shared role in shaping our future through research.

Many public health organizations have rallied and shouted the battle cry, "Health is a human right." Public Health research is paramount in working towards the elimination of racial and ethnic health inequities. Since 1967, the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) has embraced an Open Society that charges the organization to respect diversity and seek social justice and health equity for all.

SOPHE, where I am currently employed, has been in involved in addressing health inequities though multiple channels which include: creating resolutions that help guide research, policy, and education efforts; educating policy makers on the need for increased resources and funding to address the nation's disease prevention efforts; strengthening pre-professional public health programs; and engaging communities in research to create and implement effective programs and services. SOPHE's mission is to provide leadership to the profession of public health education and to contribute to the health of all people and the elimination of disparities through advances in health education theory and research, excellence in professional preparation and practice, and advocacy for public policies conducive to health.

My favorite story from my grandfather ended with him saying to me: "Your actions today will impact your future." I oftentimes think back to that advice in my life's work in improving health outcomes of disadvantaged communities through the implementation of effective resources and policies. As we continue in our life's work, let us be ever mindful of the power and the obligation that we have as researchers and research administrators to impact the world we live in positively--for ourselves and for future generations.

Carmen J. Head, MPH, CHES

Director, School Health Programs

Society for Public Health Education

Washington, DC

Email: CHead@sophe.org

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