Public health research: between science and action?
In this text, we first propose a concept of public health research as a multidisciplinary endeavor whose aim is to identify the main determinants of people's health status, analyzed at the collective level. The public's health is thus envisioned as a socially determined reality, in which risk factors include biological phenomena as well as a given community's social and economic environment. Second, we argue that public health research should be applicable research, i.e. that it should be useful to decision-makers. But since the relationship between science and action is conflicting, it is necessary to invent mediatory practices to facilitate interaction between researchers and decision-makers.
Pouvourville
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Groupe IMAGE. Ecole Nationale de la Santé Publique. 14, Rue Val d'Osne, 94410, Saint Maurice, France.
D005602:France; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health