Inclusion of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in COVID-19 Public Health Research: Research Design Adaptations to Seek Different Perspectives in Victoria, Australia

Lisa Gibbs (), Alexander J. Thomas, Alison Coelho, Adil Al-Qassas, Karen Block, Niamh Meagher, Limya Eisa, Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey, Tianhui Ke, Phoebe Kerr, Edwin Jit Leung Kwong, Colin MacDougall, Deng Malith, Katitza Marinkovic Chavez, Deborah Osborne, David J. Price, Freya Shearer, Mark Stoove, Kathryn Young, Yanqin Zhang, Katherine B. Gibney and Margaret Hellard
Additional contact information
Lisa Gibbs: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Alexander J. Thomas: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Alison Coelho: Coelho Networks, Melbourne, VIC 3058, Australia
Adil Al-Qassas: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Karen Block: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Niamh Meagher: Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Limya Eisa: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Tianhui Ke: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Phoebe Kerr: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Edwin Jit Leung Kwong: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Colin MacDougall: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Deng Malith: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Katitza Marinkovic Chavez: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Deborah Osborne: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
David J. Price: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Freya Shearer: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Mark Stoove: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Kathryn Young: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Yanqin Zhang: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
Katherine B. Gibney: Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
Margaret Hellard: The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Participation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in public health research is often limited by challenges with recruitment, retention and second-language data collection. Consequently, people from CALD communities are at risk of their needs being marginalised in public health interventions. This paper presents intrinsic case analyses of two studies which were adapted to increase the cultural competence of research processes. Both cases were part of the Optimise study, a major mixed methods research study in Australia which provided evidence to inform the Victorian state government’s decision-making about COVID-19 public health measures. Case study 1 involved the core Optimise longitudinal cohort study and Case study 2 was the CARE Victorian representative survey, an Optimise sub-study. Both case studies engaged cultural advisors and bilingual staff to adjust the survey measures and research processes to suit target CALD communities. Reflexive processes provided insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the inclusive strategies. Selected survey results are provided, demonstrating variation across CALD communities and in comparison to participants who reported speaking English at home. While in most cases a gradient of disadvantage was evident for CALD communities, some patterns were unexpected. The case studies demonstrate the challenge and value of investing in culturally competent research processes to ensure research guiding policy captures a spectrum of experiences and perspectives.

Keywords: pandemic; culturally and linguistically diverse; migrant; research processes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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