Article Category:
Research Article

Barriers and Facilitators for Participation in Global Health Research Training Programs Among Underrepresented Minority Groups

Usha Ramakrishnan Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Usha Ramakrishnan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Monique Hennink Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Monique Hennink in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Kofi A. Kondwani Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Kofi A. Kondwani in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Radhika L. Sundararajan Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York;

Search for other papers by Radhika L. Sundararajan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Riley Hunt Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Riley Hunt in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Donna J. Ingles Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee;

Search for other papers by Donna J. Ingles in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Dionne Williams Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Dionne Williams in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Champagnae Smith Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Champagnae Smith in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Lan Tran Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia;

Search for other papers by Lan Tran in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Teris Taylor Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee

Search for other papers by Teris Taylor in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Douglas C. Heimburger Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee

Search for other papers by Douglas C. Heimburger in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Linnie M. Golightly Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York;

Search for other papers by Linnie M. Golightly in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.24-0847
Volume/Issue:
Ahead of Print
Open access
Get Permissions

The optimal global health (GH) workforce should be racially and ethnically diverse, yet few persons from historically underrepresented minority (URM) groups in the United States participate in GH training programs. We conducted a study to explore barriers and facilitators for URM individuals to participate in the NIH Fogarty International Center’s GH Program for Fellows and Scholars (FGHFS), which offers yearlong international research training opportunities. We used an exploratory sequential mixed methods study design that used qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 18) to inform a subsequent quantitative online survey (n = 82). We assessed URM interest and engagement in GH training at three stages of FGHFS (applicants, alumni, and eligible persons who had not applied). Most participants in both phases were female, Black or African American, aged between 31 and 39 years, and had completed graduate or postgraduate training; a third or less were Hispanic. We identified four principal barriers to participation in GH training programs including lack of exposure to GH, lack of mentorship or support, challenges of global travel and work, and finances. The barriers compounded across training stages. Principal facilitators of training engagement included encouraging mentors and supportive families. Recommendations for increasing the participation of URM individuals in GH research training programs included increased financial support and exposure to GH in academic studies, as well as exposure to role models and mentors who can provide career advising in GH. Our findings suggest that early exposure, mentorship, and sufficient financial support will facilitate URMs’ entry into GH.

Author Notes

Financial support: Research reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center of the NIH under award number D43 TW009337.

Disclosure: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Current contact information: Usha Ramakrishnan, Monique Hennink, Riley Hunt, and Lan Tran, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, E-mails: uramakr@emory.edu, mhennin@emory.edu, rileyhunt23@gmail.com, and lan.tran2@emory.edu. Kofi A. Kondwani, Dionne Williams, and Champagnae Smith, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, E-mails: kkondwani@msm.edu, dawilliams@msm.edu, and chamsmith@msm.edu. Radhika L. Sundararajan and Linnie M. Golightly, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, E-mails: ras9199@med.cornell.edu and lgolight@med.cornell.edu. Donna J. Ingles, Teris Taylor, and Douglas C. Heimburger, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, E-mails: donna.j.ingles.1@vanderbilt.edu, teris.taylor.1@Vanderbilt.Edu, and douglas.heimburger@vumc.org.

Address correspondence to Douglas C. Heimburger, Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, 2525 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203. E-mail: douglas.heimburger@vumc.org
Copyright:
© The author(s) 2025
Received:
20 Dec 2024
|
Accepted:
24 Mar 2025
|
Published Online:
13 May 2025
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645

Guide to the Study of Tsetse-Flies

By Prof. R. Newstead, F.R.S., with the collaboration of Alwen W. Evans, M.Sc. (Vict.) and W. H. Potts, B.A. (Contab.). Foreword by Prof. J. W. W. Stevens, F.R.S. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine—Memoir, New Series No. 1. The University Press of Liverpool Limited. Hodder and Stoughten Limited, London. Price 17/6 net

Author:
J. H. St. John
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 33709 33709 32010
PDF Downloads 116 116 15
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save