Barriers to participation in global health programs amongst HUGS Público
Hunt, Riley (Fall 2023)
Abstract
Background: Representation of historically underrepresented groups (HUGS) within the science field is important to ensure diverse perspectives and experiences are present in all aspects of public health initiatives, policies, and research. However, HUGS individuals are not strongly represented across various scientific disciplines, particularly within global health. Therefore, this study aims to understand challenges that prevent HUGS from participating in global health training programs and/or careers. From these results, interventions and strategies that facilitate HUGS involvement in global health work and training can be identified and better supported.
Methods: We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with 18 HUGS participants to identify barriers and facilitators to pursuing and participating in a global health career and/or training program. Three types of participants were purposively recruited: (1) HUGS who graduated from the Fogarty Global Health Fellowship Program (FGHFP); (2) HUGS who applied to the FGHFP but were not accepted, withdrew or who declined; and (3) HUGS who did not apply but were eligible for the FGHFP. Data was analyzed using applied thematic analysis.
Results: Results were structured by three stages in global health career development [i.e., interest in a GH career, application to GH training programs, participation in GH training programs]. Four key barriers were found across these stages [i.e., lack of exposure, lack of support, global career barriers, and financial barriers]. We developed a matrix comprising the three career stages by the four barriers to depict the results. While barriers were more influential to certain stages, there was an overlaying connection. Across themes, barriers compounded as stages progressed. Within each stage, barriers accumulated resulting in an abundance of challenges encountered by HUGS. Potential facilitators that apply across all barriers include various forms of mentorship, increased HUGS representation in global health career settings, expanded institutional support for HUGS participants, and more global health career exposure.
Conclusion: The findings from this study illustrate various circumstances that reduce HUGS participation in global health training programs and careers. Providing specific outreach and multiple levels of support to HUGS individuals throughout their global health career development is critical to increasing HUGS inclusion in the global health career field.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
Historically Underrepresented Groups 2
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4
Educational Disparities Among HUGS 4
Lack of HUGS Representation in STEM 6
Lack of HUGS Representation in Public/Global Health 8
Interventions 9
Gaps in Knowledge 11
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 13
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 18
Lack of GH Exposure 18
Lack of Support 21
Global Career Barriers 23
Financial Barriers 26
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND CONCLUSIONS 29
REFERENCES 41
TABLES AND FIGURES 45
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