SPR Task Force on Reducing Health Disparities and Improving Equity through Prevention

In response to the recent SPR Strategic Plan, we established an SPR Disparities-Equity Task Force to produce a statement on contemporary issues, approaches, and empirical studies, in the application of prevention science for reducing health disparities and inequities, and in promoting health equity. Members of this Task Force will present a preliminary report on emerging issues and approaches. Historically, racial/ethnic minorityand other vulnerable populations have experienced chronic patterns of social inequity and injustice. These adverse conditions have contributed to disproportionate rates of disease and disorder, which are now described as health disparities. Prevention scientists have developed several effective evidence-based interventions (EBIs) from the application of scientific theories, empirically-based techniques, and practical knowledge, as implemented to reduce or eliminate certain health disparities. Specifically, this roundtable will discuss definitional, theoretical, design, and methodological issues in this implementation. We will also illustrate these EBI applications with specific examples. Finally, this interactive roundtable will serve as a forum for engaging the SPR membership, by eliciting their views and feedback in response to this Task Force statement and its recommendations.