The FDA’s Diverse and Dynamic Activities in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: Advancing and Supporting Health Equity

Abstract

The U.S. encompasses a heterogenous mix of people and health disparities exist for various subpopulations, such as minorities, women, people with limited English proficiency, those with low socioeconomic status, and other underserved groups. Differences in health outcomes arise in part due to inequalities and injustices rooted in biological, social, and structural factors. Because the origins of health disparities are multifactorial, the approaches to reduce, or even eliminate them, must be multifactorial as well. The social and behavioral sciences are well poised to address the myriad and complex factors that affect health outcomes, including those at the individual level (eg, individuals’ behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs), the neighborhood level (eg, housing), the community level (eg, cultural values and norms), and the policy level (eg, public policies that influence healthcare funding and access to healthcare resources and educational materials). In addition, the social and behavioral sciences (1) help equip government agencies with the perspectives and tools needed to promote health equity and (2) contribute to rigorous, evidence-based solutions for public health issues, such as disparities found in childhood vaccination rates, childhood obesity, tobacco use, and access to health information technology. The FDA, in particular, actively conducts social and behavioral sciences research to guide the Agency’s efforts to advance and support health equity.

The impact of interactive advertising on consumer engagement, recall, and understanding: A scoping systematic review for informing regulatory science

“…This is of particular importance for products or services for which advertising content is regulated, such as prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and financial products or services, to ensure that such advertising does not introduce barriers or challenges to consumer understanding of risks associated with such products. Especially within the past decade, regulatory science researchers have embraced the tools of social science to assess consumer perceptions of risk as well as potential impediments to consumer understanding [ 19 , 20 ]. Social science research can offer evidence of advertising effects on consumer perceptions, and agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have used such approaches to assess consumer engagement with different types of advertisements, such as direct-to-consumer prescription drug television ads [ 21 ].…”

Collaborating with pharmacists to advance health equity for patients with diabetes through communication

“…unlikely to succeed. 8 Health disparities exist for various populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, people with limited English proficiency, those with low socioeconomic status, and other underserved groups. [2][3][4][5][6][7] It is critical to move toward providing a patient-centered approach, and a first step in doing so is culturally appropriate, health literate, and numerate communications.…”

“…Research projects have included an exploratory qualitative pilot study that mined and analyzed unstructured FDA data and social media data to understand the audience and gaps in communication to diverse groups about diabetes. 8 In addition, OMHHE convenes researchers, patients, health care providers, and a range of stakeholders from across academia, government, and industry to advance health equity for diabetes, by hosting meetings and workshops. 18 APhA inspires, innovates, and creates opportunities for members and pharmacists worldwide to optimize medication use and health for all.…”