About this Research Topic
Social inequities have a profound impact on community and population health outcomes, particularly regarding substance use and mental health. Indeed, numerous health organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations have expressed the need for focused research and interventions on mitigating such inequities to promote optimal health and well-being. Numerous studies in the public health literature have documented social inequities in the context of substance use and mental health outcomes, demonstrating consistently that historically oppressed, marginalized, and underserved populations experience the greatest prevalence and risk.
A key limitation in much of the public health literature is the lack of targeted efforts to promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (J-DEI) in substance use and mental health. Whereas representation matters substantially in promoting and sustaining socially valid substance use and mental health interventions, both research, and practice often lack diverse and inclusive research teams and/or samples to yield culturally responsive results. This is especially problematic for historically marginalized, oppressed, and marginalized communities who may be the greatest impacted. Considering these points, the goal of this Research Topic is to highlight current work in supporting J-DEI in substance use and mental health research and practice.
This Research Topic aims to advance the science and practice of public health regarding the integration of J-DEI in local, national, and international contexts. Within this theme, conceptual, empirical, and methodological papers that center around J-DEI in substance use and mental health are welcome. Illustrative themes within this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Community-engaged substance and/or mental health research and practice;
• International applications of J-DEI in substance use or mental health treatment;
• Theoretical and conceptual issues in J-DEI applications;
• Interdisciplinary public health approaches to supporting J-DEI efforts.
Papers focused on advancing health equity, particularly in historically oppressed, marginalized, and underserved communities will be especially welcomed into this collection.
A key limitation in much of the public health literature is the lack of targeted efforts to promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (J-DEI) in substance use and mental health. Whereas representation matters substantially in promoting and sustaining socially valid substance use and mental health interventions, both research, and practice often lack diverse and inclusive research teams and/or samples to yield culturally responsive results. This is especially problematic for historically marginalized, oppressed, and marginalized communities who may be the greatest impacted. Considering these points, the goal of this Research Topic is to highlight current work in supporting J-DEI in substance use and mental health research and practice.
This Research Topic aims to advance the science and practice of public health regarding the integration of J-DEI in local, national, and international contexts. Within this theme, conceptual, empirical, and methodological papers that center around J-DEI in substance use and mental health are welcome. Illustrative themes within this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Community-engaged substance and/or mental health research and practice;
• International applications of J-DEI in substance use or mental health treatment;
• Theoretical and conceptual issues in J-DEI applications;
• Interdisciplinary public health approaches to supporting J-DEI efforts.
Papers focused on advancing health equity, particularly in historically oppressed, marginalized, and underserved communities will be especially welcomed into this collection.
Keywords: justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, J-DEI, substance use, mental health, mental health practice
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
