Table 1.
NIH activities that address behavioral and social sciences research gaps and opportunities on structural racism and health
| Research gap/opportunity | Activities: internal to NIH | Activities: extramural research community | Topics ripe for exploration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement and methods | Webinar on innovations in measurement of structural racisma | PhenX social determinants of health domainc RFA: Measures and methods to advance research on health-disparities related constructsb,d |
Development and validation of approaches to assess structural racism and its impact within and across domains (e.g., housing, employment, education, health care, criminal legal system) Measuring how structural racism intersects with other levels of racism, social determinants of health (SDoH), and demographic characteristics Use and integration of multiple theories and methodological approaches |
| Multi-level studies | Webinar on innovations in multi-level interventions to address structural racisma | RFA: Understanding and addressing the impact of structural racism and discrimination on minority health and health disparitiesb,e RFA: Transformative research to address health disparities and advance health equityb,f |
Understand multi-level mechanistic pathways through which structural racism experienced in a range of systems directly impacts individual and population health across the lifespan and between generations Develop, evaluate, implement, adapt, and sustain innovative multi-level/sector, health equity interventions that address structural drivers and other SDoH in true partnership with communities |
| Mechanisms of action | |||
| Interventions |
Activity directly implemented to support recommendations from the BSSR-CC Working Group.
Request for Applications (RFAs).
BSSR-CC, Behavioral and Social Sciences Research—Coordinating Committee.