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Complex systems thinking and current impasses in health disparities research

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  • Roux, A.V.D.

Abstract

Complex systems approaches have received increasing attention in public health because reductionist approaches yield limited insights in the context of dynamic systems. Most discussions have been highly abstract. There is a need to consider the application of complex systems approaches to specific research questions. I review the features of population health problems for which complex systems approaches are most likely to yield new insights, and discuss possible applications of complex systems to health disparities research. I provide illustrative examples of how complex systems approaches may help address unanswered and persistent questions regarding genetic factors, life course processes, place effects, and the impact of upstream policies. The concepts and methods of complex systems may help researchers move beyond current impasse points in health disparities research.

Suggested Citation

  • Roux, A.V.D., 2011. "Complex systems thinking and current impasses in health disparities research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(9), pages 1627-1634.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2011.300149_0
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300149
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    5. Bolte, Gabriele, 2018. "Epidemiologische Methoden und Erkenntnisse als eine Grundlage für Stadtplanung und gesundheitsfördernde Stadtentwicklung," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Baumgart, Sabine & Köckler, Heike & Ritzinger, Anne & Rüdiger, Andrea (ed.), Planung für gesundheitsfördernde Städte, volume 8, pages 118-134, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
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    13. Gebreab, Samson Y. & Diez-Roux, Ana V. & Hickson, DeMarc A. & Boykin, Shawn & Sims, Mario & Sarpong, Daniel F. & Taylor, Herman A. & Wyatt, Sharon B., 2012. "The contribution of stress to the social patterning of clinical and subclinical CVD risk factors in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(9), pages 1697-1707.
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    15. Nicole Abaid & James Macinko & Diana Silver & Maurizio Porfiri, 2015. "The Effect of Geography and Citizen Behavior on Motor Vehicle Deaths in the United States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    16. Arcaya, Mariana C. & Tucker-Seeley, Reginald D. & Kim, Rockli & Schnake-Mahl, Alina & So, Marvin & Subramanian, S.V., 2016. "Research on neighborhood effects on health in the United States: A systematic review of study characteristics," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 16-29.
    17. Nisbett, Nicholas, 2019. "Understanding the nourishment of bodies at the centre of food and health systems – systemic, bodily and new materialist perspectives on nutritional inequity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 9-16.
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    19. Sharon Friel & Melanie Pescud & Eleanor Malbon & Amanda Lee & Robert Carter & Joanne Greenfield & Megan Cobcroft & Jane Potter & Lucie Rychetnik & Beth Meertens, 2017. "Using systems science to understand the determinants of inequities in healthy eating," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, November.
    20. Yeeli Mui & Ellis Ballard & Eli Lopatin & Rachel L J Thornton & Keshia M Pollack Porter & Joel Gittelsohn, 2019. "A community-based system dynamics approach suggests solutions for improving healthy food access in a low-income urban environment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-13, May.
    21. Penny R. Breeze & Hazel Squires & Kate Ennis & Petra Meier & Kate Hayes & Nik Lomax & Alan Shiell & Frank Kee & Frank de Vocht & Martin O’Flaherty & Nigel Gilbert & Robin Purshouse & Stewart Robinson , 2023. "Guidance on the use of complex systems models for economic evaluations of public health interventions," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(7), pages 1603-1625, July.
    22. Julie M. Kapp & Eduardo J. Simoes & Anne DeBiasi & Steven J. Kravet, 2017. "A Conceptual Framework for a Systems Thinking Approach to US Population Health," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(6), pages 686-698, November.
    23. Janssens, Frans J.G. & Ehren, Melanie C.M., 2016. "Toward a model of school inspections in a polycentric system," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 88-98.
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