About this Research Topic
Social science research plays a vital role in understanding and addressing complex issues within the field of public health. While medical advancements and analysis of disease data contribute significantly to healthcare improvements, social science research, including the use of qualitative methods, brings a unique perspective that focuses on the human dimensions of health. By examining factors such as risk perception, social norms, cultural context, and social support networks, researchers can develop evidence-based interventions that promote positive health behaviours, prevent disease, and minimise harms.
Additionally, social science research plays a pivotal role in informing public health policy and program development. It generates evidence to support policy decisions, evaluate program effectiveness, and guide resource allocation. By integrating social science perspectives, policymakers can drive strategies that are contextually relevant, responsive to community needs, and inclusive of marginalized populations.
Key contributions of social science and qualitative research to public health include:
• Understanding social determinants of health.
• Informing policy and program development.
• Enhancing community engagement.
• Evaluating program effectiveness.
• Examining health behaviours and interventions, including during outbreak response.
• Collaborating with end-users to determine needs, appropriate responses or interventions and long-term sustainability.
This research topic will highlight the significance of social science and qualitative methods in understanding the complex social dynamics and lived experiences that shape health outcomes. The articles will showcase rigorous qualitative research that deepens our understanding of the social determinants of health, health behaviours, and the impact of interventions.
The collection will also promote the integration of qualitative research findings into evidence-based practice and policy development, demonstrating the value social science in informing interventions, program development, and policy decisions that are sensitive to the social, cultural, and contextual nuances of public health.
We are particularly interested in submissions on the following topics:
● Rapid mixed methods to investigate public health problems in communities.
● Community Engagement and Risk Communication to deliver public health outcomes.
● Exploration of risk perception and underlying drivers of health behaviour.
● Exploration of the socio-cultural considerations to a successful public health program.
● The significance of social science as part of a One Health approach.
● Working in multidisciplinary teams.
● The challenges of conducting qualitative research in a public health context.
Additionally, social science research plays a pivotal role in informing public health policy and program development. It generates evidence to support policy decisions, evaluate program effectiveness, and guide resource allocation. By integrating social science perspectives, policymakers can drive strategies that are contextually relevant, responsive to community needs, and inclusive of marginalized populations.
Key contributions of social science and qualitative research to public health include:
• Understanding social determinants of health.
• Informing policy and program development.
• Enhancing community engagement.
• Evaluating program effectiveness.
• Examining health behaviours and interventions, including during outbreak response.
• Collaborating with end-users to determine needs, appropriate responses or interventions and long-term sustainability.
This research topic will highlight the significance of social science and qualitative methods in understanding the complex social dynamics and lived experiences that shape health outcomes. The articles will showcase rigorous qualitative research that deepens our understanding of the social determinants of health, health behaviours, and the impact of interventions.
The collection will also promote the integration of qualitative research findings into evidence-based practice and policy development, demonstrating the value social science in informing interventions, program development, and policy decisions that are sensitive to the social, cultural, and contextual nuances of public health.
We are particularly interested in submissions on the following topics:
● Rapid mixed methods to investigate public health problems in communities.
● Community Engagement and Risk Communication to deliver public health outcomes.
● Exploration of risk perception and underlying drivers of health behaviour.
● Exploration of the socio-cultural considerations to a successful public health program.
● The significance of social science as part of a One Health approach.
● Working in multidisciplinary teams.
● The challenges of conducting qualitative research in a public health context.
Keywords: mixed methods, qualitative research, anthropology, risk communication, social science, behaviour change, knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, health, public health
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.
