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Research Interests of Stigma and Global Health RFA Partners
Current Request for Applications (TW-03-001)
Letter of Intent Deadline: October 14, 2002
Application Deadline: November 14, 2002
Summary
This page provides information about stigma research interests from many of the NIH partners.
Please see the Stigma and Global Health Research Program RFA (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-03-001.html) for detailed information about research objectives, eligibility, and funds available.
Partners with Specific Research Interests
Research Interests of Stigma and Global Health Research Program partners:
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
FIC is interested in applications on stigma and health topics relevant to and involving low to middle income countries of the developing world. Special consideration will be given to meritorious interdisciplinary applications from, or in collaboration with, developing country investigators.
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD)
NCMHD would like to encourage applications that have minority health or health disparity focus.
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
NHGRI would like to encourage applications on stigma-related issues related to genetic disorders. Particular areas of interest include:
The relationship between the degree to which particular disorders (or individuals, families, or larger populations groups with or at increased risk for those disorders) are stigmatized (or perceived to be stigmatized) and the degree to which those disorders are perceived to have a genetic etiology.
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The impact of the following factors on the degree to which particular genetic or genetically influenced disorders are stigmatized (or perceived to be stigmatized): whether the disorder is common or rare; caused by a single gene or by the complex interactions of many genes and the environment; treatable or untreatable; visible or invisible manifestation; neuropsychiatric or has a clear behavioral component; higher perceived prevalence in a particular racial or ethnic group.
The extent, and on what basis, the following types of carriers for a dominant, recessive, or X-linked genetic disorders are stigmatized (or perceived to be stigmatized): carriers who choose not to learn their carrier status; known carriers of dominant, recessive, or X-linked genetic disorders who, knowing of their carrier status, give birth to children who may be at risk; known carriers of dominant, recessive, or X-linked genetic disorders who, knowing of their carrier status, undergo prenatal testing followed by selective abortion.
The effect of increased use of prenatal testing followed by selective abortion (resulting in the birth of fewer children with particular genetic disorders) on the extent to which children who are born with those disorders are stigmatized (or perceived to be stigmatized).
The effect that the allocation of additional dollars to research on common, complex disorders relative to research on rare, single gene disorders has on the extent to which disorders of the latter type (and individuals, families, and group with or at risk for those disorders) are stigmatized (or perceived to be stigmatized). Are those with or at risk for are, single gene disorders made (or made to feel) more stigmatized, to the extent that they feel even more marginalized? Or are they made (or made to feel) less stigmatized, insofar as such research increases public understanding that everybody has some genetic variants that contribute to disease?
The question of whether or not genetic stigmatization has any positive aspects (e.g., the establishment of new senses of communities of relatedness).
Where genetic stigmatization exists with respect to particular disorders that are more prevalent in certain racial or ethnic groups, the relationship between the stigmatization and the degree to which those groups are already subject to societal discrimination. What effect does the way group differences are perceived in society and by groups have on the extent to which genetic disorders associated with those groups are stigmatized (or perceived to be stigmatized)? What is the relationship between the degree of group genetic stigmatization felt by individuals with genetic disorders that are more common in particular groups and the degree of group affinity felt by those individuals?
The relationship between genetic discrimination and genetic stigmatization. The effect, if any, of state genetic antidiscrimination laws on the degree to which stigmatization based on genetic factors occurs (or is perceived to occur).
The psychosocial impact of genetic stigmatization. Specifically, the impact of genetic stigmatization on people's general sense of well being, social functioning, marital status.
The economic impact of genetic stigmatization, such as the impact of genetic stigmatization on people's ability or willingness to pursue educational opportunities, job opportunities, etc.
The relationship between individuals' concerns regarding the risk of individual, family, or group stigmatization based on genetic status and their willingness to undergo genetic testing or otherwise to utilize existing genetic health service.
The relationship between individuals' concerns regarding the risk of individual, family, or group stigmatization based on genetic status and their willingness to participate in genetic research.
The salient cross-cultural differences that explain differences in the way genetic stigmatization occurs or is perceived in different parts of the world.
The characteristics of those who tend to stigmatize against others based on genetic factors. The characteristics of those who tend to feel stigmatized based on genetic factors. Specifically, the roles of such factors as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, gender, age, level of social support, and health or disability status.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
NIAAA is interested in supporting applications that address the association of stigma with the detection, prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders. Of particular interest are applications that address alcohol abuse and addiction in populations that bear a greater burden of stigma (i.e. pregnant women) and alcohol related birth defects (such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). Applications that address the stigma associated with alcohol and other health conditions, such as HIV AIDS, will also be considered. Studies on the role of stigma in the development of alcohol-related policies and the delivery of services are also encouraged.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
NIAID encourages applications addressing the impact of stigma on control and treatment of infectious diseases. Of particular interest is research to develop and evaluate strategies to prevent or minimize the negative physical, cognitive, and social consequences of HIV infection, including the stigmatization of persons with or at risk for HIV infection. NIAID is particularly interested in applications with an international/developing country focus.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
NIDCR is interested in supporting research to identify, prevent, or ameliorate consequences of stigma related to socially perceived variations or changes in orofacial appearance or function. Such changes may, for example, result from orofacial injuries or from congenital craniofacial anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate, disfiguring infectious diseases such as noma, oral facial cancers or ablative cancer surgeries affecting orofacial structures, edentulousness, malocclusion, or other orofacial diseases/conditions.
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA is interested in supporting applications that address the causes and consequences of stigma in drug abusing and addicted individuals and populations, including the impact on stigma on the availability and provision of treatment and prevention services. Studies on interventions directed at reducing stigma in these populations are encouraged as well. Particular areas of interest include:
Studies aimed at the etiology of stigma towards drug abusing populations and the consequences of stigma at the level of the individual abuser. Also of interest are studies that compare and contrast the etiology and consequences of stigma associated with drug abuse in the context of human development.
Studies on the effects of stigma on the treatment of drug addictions and on drug abuse health care providers; the examination of stigma as a barrier to the availability of treatment for drug abuse and addiction, and to treatment for the medical & health consequences of drug abuse.
Research to identify individual, family, group, or community variables that contribute to the development of stigma or influence the consequences of stigma for drug abusers and addicts. This includes studies examining "layers" of stigma (e.g., stigma towards individuals who are drug abusers and HIV positive, or pregnant addicts, or those with co-morbid mental health disorders), and research into influences that may act to buffer an affected individual or population against deleterious effects of stigma. Research examining stigma directed at occasional versus habitual drug abusers and addicts in recovery or relapsing to addiction is also of interest.
Research on the influence of legal, political, cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic variables, as well as the influence of gender and sexual orientation, on the etiology and consequences of stigma associated with drug abuse. Such studies should optimize international opportunities to make cross-cultural comparisons and collect data from 'natural experiments' in societies undergoing policy change with regard to the abuse of licit or illicit drugs.
Investigations aimed at the development of interventions for reducing stigma or its effects on drug abusing individuals or populations, including those integrated into treatment and prevention approaches, and those using messages delivered through the media.
Studies of the conditions under which stigmatization of drug abuse confers resilience to acquire drug abuse behaviors (e.g., social and cultural settings, developmental periods, different drugs of abuse, etc.).
Studies focusing on stigma among underrepresented minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and children are especially encouraged, as are investigations focusing on the impact of stigma on health disparities in the consequences of drug abuse within and across various cultural and ethnic groups.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH is interested in supporting applications that will enhance our understanding of the social, psychological, and cultural processes that influence attitudes and behaviors toward mental illness, and that will provide the basis for developing promising strategies for reducing mental illness stigma and discrimination. Examples of such applications are:
Studies of the basic behavioral processes through which stigma influences individuals' recognition and understanding of their mental illness, their willingness to accept and remain in treatment, the kinds of treatment they choose, and the outcome of their treatment.
Studies of the role of social policies and cultural and environmental factors in the impact and experience of stigma on individuals with mental illness, their families, and their communities.
Studies of basic cognitive and social cognitive processes that could form the basis for developing effective strategies for reducing stigma and discrimination in the work place, health care settings, and the criminal justice system.
Studies of the specificity of stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors across mental disorders, stakeholders (e.g., individuals with mental illness, healthcare providers, employers, landlords, the general public), and social and cultural settings.
Studies of the influence of the media, both positive and negative, on changing or perpetuating stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors towards individuals with mental illness, and on the experience and self-beliefs of individuals with mental illness.
Studies of children's and adolescents' attitudes and beliefs about mental illness, and the development of age-appropriate approaches to changing negative attitudes and behaviors.
Studies to identify the critical ingredients of effective stigma change strategies, both those targeted at specific groups of individuals (e.g., healthcare providers) and to the general public.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
NINDS encourages research on stigma related problems across the spectrum of neurological disorders to reduce the burden of neurological disease borne by every age group and segment of society all over the world.
The Office of AIDS Research (OAR)
OAR is interested in supporting applications that address the role of stigma and discrimination in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This includes basic research on the causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS-associated stigma and discrimination, as well as, intervention research to ameliorate them. Particular areas of interest include:
Studies that examine the ways in which stigma and discrimination contribute to, or create sources of, HIV-related risk; and studies that develop, implement and evaluate interventions based on this understanding.
Research to understand the role of stigma and discrimination in the disparate consequences of HIV infection, as well as, access, utilization, and quality of prevention and health care services among individuals and groups differing by socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity. Interventions based on this understanding.
Studies that elucidate how stigma and discrimination operate as barriers to the implementation of science-based HIV/AIDS interventions at the local community level. Interventions to ameliorate those barriers.
Methodological research to further develop valid and reliable methods and measures for assessing HIV/AIDS-associated stigma and discrimination.
Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)
ORWH would like to encourage applications, across the spectrum of possible research topics, which include in the research design scientific analyses aimed at delineating sex/gender differences. The results of such analyses are expected to be particularly important when designing and testing appropriate interventions to have the best possible outcomes.
Health Research Services Administration (HRSA)
The HIV/AIDS Bureau of HRSA is interested in supporting the evaluation of interventions to reduce stigma as a barrier to the care and treatment of those living with HIV/AIDS. Examples of potential interventions include training of health care providers, community involvement in HIV program planning, and the inclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS in program planning and as staff or volunteers in care and support programs. Programs that tie decreases in stigma to increased access to care and improved quality of care are of particular interest.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
The Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is interested in supporting applications from Canadians or, in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC), in co-sponsoring proposals originating in and responding to priorities of developing countries and with a Canadian component. Eligible applications for CIHR/INMHA include those dealing with research on stigma related to neurological disorders, mental illnesses and addictions which are aimed at finding innovative, effective and evidence-based means to reduce discrimination, improve access to services and to raise public awareness through education.
Inquiries
Inquiries are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome.
Please direct general inquiries regarding the scope and content of this Request for Applications to:
Program Director
Division of International Research and Training
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C39
31 Center Drive MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 496-1653
FAX: (301) 402-0779
Contact for grants management and other fiscal matters:
Grants Management Officer
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C39
31 Center Drive, MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
Telephone: (301) 496-1670
FAX: (301) 594-1211
For additional information, please see the Stigma and Global Health Research Program Frequently Asked Questions page.
