title: Researching reducing health disparities: mixed-methods approaches.
abstract: There is a pressing need for assessment and intervention research focused on reducing health disparities. In our research program, the use of mixed methods has enhanced assessment of the mediating impacts of social support on the health of vulnerable populations and enabled the design and testing of support interventions. This paper highlights the benefits and challenges of mixed methods for investigating inequities; and, illustrates the application of mixed methods in two exemplar studies focused on vulnerable populations in Canada. Qualitative methods fostered in-depth understanding of vulnerable populations' support needs, support resources, intervention preferences, and satisfaction with intervention strategies and impacts. Quantitative methods documented the effectiveness and outcomes of intervention strategies, and enhanced the reliability and validity of assessments and interventions. The researchers demonstrate that participatory strategies are needed to make studies more relevant to reducing health disparities, contextually appropriate, and empowering.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. miriam.stewart@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makwarimba
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barnfather
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Letourneau
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neufeld
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003256:Community Participation; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario; D011203:Poverty; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke; D014504:Urban Health; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology