Environmental Health Research Involving Human Subjects: Ethical Issues

Resnik, David B.

doi:10.4137/ehi.s892

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…[17]), public health surveillance (e.g. [18,19]) and environmental health research [20] provide little guidance. These analyses deal with ethical issues that arise in research that collects data from individuals (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use

et al. 2012

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Aims To discuss ethical issues that may arise in using WWA to monitor illicit drug use in the general population and in entertainment precincts, prisons, schools and work‐places. Method Review current applications of WWA and identify ethical and social issues that may be raised with current and projected future uses of this method. Results Wastewater analysis (WWA) of drug residues is a promising method of monitoring illicit drug use that may overcome some limitations of other monitoring methods. When used for monitoring purposes in large populations, WWA does not raise major ethical concerns because individuals are not identified and the prospects of harming residents of catchment areas are remote. When WWA is used in smaller catchment areas (entertainment venues, prisons, schools or work‐places) their results could, possibly, indirectly affect the occupants adversely. Researchers will need to take care in reporting their results to reduce media misreporting. Fears about possible use of WWA for mass individual surveillance by drug law enforcement officials are unlikely to be realized, but will need to be addressed because they may affect public support adversely for this type of research. Conclusions Using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use in large populations does not raise major ethical concerns, but researchers need to minimize possible adverse consequences in studying smaller populations, such as workers, prisoners and students.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use

et al. 2012

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“…The variability in study designs may also reflect the prerequisite of representing the complexity of the needs of older people and the change in their housing environment over time ( Garin et al, 2014 ). The scarcity of high-quality intervention studies could be based on the fact that they create challenges within environmental research ( Resnik, 2008 ). First, ethical issues can arise through higher risks for the participants such as violating their privacy in their home environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Physical Housing Characteristics, Housing Accessibility and Different Aspects of Health Among Community-Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review

et al. 2023

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Objectives To synthesize the evidence on the relationships between physical housing characteristics or housing accessibility and different aspects of health among community-dwelling people 60 years and older. Methods A systematic review of recent evidence with a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results We included 15 studies and found three themes covering physical housing characteristics or housing accessibility that are associated with aspects of health among community-dwelling older adults: (1) interventions by home modifications targeting housing features both at entrances and indoors; (2) non-interventions targeting indoor features; (3) non-interventions targeting entrance features, that is, the presence of an elevator or stairs at the entrance. The overall quality of evidence across studies was assessed as very low. Discussion The findings highlight the need for studies with a stronger research design and higher methodological quality that address the physical housing environment in relation to health among older adults to strengthen the body of evidence.

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“…This is highly concerning given that randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard for establishing causality and proof of concept. However, it would not be ethical to conduct randomized control trials if there is not equipoise, or a state of uncertainty about an intervention's efficacy, given the concerns about intentional withholding of potentially beneficial programs among those randomized to a control group [76]. Furthermore, many climate-related health-affecting events cannot be randomized (e.g.…”

Section: Quality Appraisalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intervention studies to reduce the impact of climate change on health in rural communities in the United States: a systematic review

Smith

Mizelle

Leslie

et al. 2023

Environ. Res.: Health

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Background: Climate change, the greatest public health threat of the 21st century, will uniquely affect rural areas that are geographically isolated and experience greater health inequities. This systematic review describes and evaluates interventions to lessen the effects of climate change on human health in the rural United States, including interventions on air pollution, vector ecology, water quality, severe weather, extreme heat, allergens, and water and food supply. Methods: Searches were constructed based on the eight domains of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Framework “Impact of Climate Change on Human Health.'' Searches were conducted in EBSCO Environment Complete, EBSCO GreenFILE, Embase.com, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Web of Science. Duplicate citations were removed, abstracts were screened for initial inclusion, and full texts were screened for final inclusion. Pertinent data were extracted and synthesized across the eight domains. Article quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: Of 8,471 studies screened, 297 were identified for full text review, and a total 49 studies were included in this review. Across the domains, 34 unique interventions addressed: air pollution (n=8), changes in vector ecology (n=6), water quality (n=5), severe weather (n=3), extreme heat (n=2) increasing allergens (n=1), water and food supply (n=1), and interventions in multiple CDC domains (n=8). Participatory action research methodology was commonly used and strived to mobilize/empower communities to tackle climate change. Conclusion: Our review identified three randomized controlled trials, with two of these three published in the last five years. While original research on the impact of climate change on health has increased in the past decade, randomized control trials may not be ethical, cost effective, or feasible. There is a need for time-efficient and high-quality scholarship that investigates intervention efficacy and effectiveness for reducing health impacts of climate change upon rural populations.

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Environmental Health Research Involving Human Subjects: Ethical Issues

Cited by 10 publications

References 19 publications

An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use

An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use

The Relationship Between Physical Housing Characteristics, Housing Accessibility and Different Aspects of Health Among Community-Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review

Intervention studies to reduce the impact of climate change on health in rural communities in the United States: a systematic review

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