Producing more relevant evidence: Applying a social epidemiology research agenda to public health practice

Abstract

To date, social epidemiology research has largely been restricted to the description of health disparities and their association with social gradients. Rarely do social epidemiologists expand upon these general-level associations and begin to examine the causal pathways linking social disparities to health. This research approach presents numerous challenges for public health practitioners who attempt to integrate social epidemiology research into policies and programs, as intervention on the identified social gradients is difficult and may divert efforts from more productive options. Furthermore, social epidemiology research is seldom accessible to public health practitioners in a form that is applicable to practice and adaptable to the local context. In order to generate research that can be translated into action to improve health, social epidemiology must progress from providing descriptions at the general level and begin to understand mechanisms leading to health outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss how social epidemiologists can produce such evidence and ensure that their research is more relevant to public health policy and practice. This chapter will also examine the challenges associated with integrating social epidemiology research into practice and offer guidance for how a social epidemiology research agenda can be implemented.