Advancing health equity through CTSA programs: Opportunities for interaction between health equity, dissemination and implementation, and translational science

• Published in: Journal of clinical and translational science Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 168 - 175
• Main Authors: Yousefi Nooraie, Reza, Kwan, Bethany M., Cohn, Elizabeth, AuYoung, Mona, Clarke Roberts, Megan, Adsul, Prajakta, Shelton, Rachel C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Cambridge University Press 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Community; CTSA; D&I; Dissemination and implementation; Health disparities; health equity; Implementation, Policy and Community Engagement; Infrastructure; Innovations; Internet access; Planning; Science; Smartphones; Special Communications; Technological change; Translation; translational science; Web portals; CTSA; health equity; Dissemination and implementation; D&I; translational science
• ISSN: 2059-8661; 2059-8661
• DOI: 10.1017/cts.2020.10

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) science is dedicated to studying how to effectively translate and apply research in real-world contexts. There has been increasing interest in health equity within the D&I field to ensure the equitable implementation of evidence-based programs/practices across a range of diverse populations and settings. At the same time, health equity researchers recognize the potential of D&I science to promote the more widespread dissemination, implementation, and sustainment of evidence-based interventions to address health inequities. The National Center for Accelerating Clinical and Translational Science Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program has been a champion for community engagement and translational scholarship in its mission to improve individual and population health. The overall CTSA infrastructure and resources within and among CTSA hubs are well-equipped to facilitate a health equity focus to D&I across the phases of translational research. This paper proposes a framework that demonstrates the interaction and opportunities between health equity and D&I science and highlights how CTSAs can support and facilitate wider efforts in translational research with a focus on equitable D&I.