Research should not ignore the power of elite groups.

Full Abstract

For a long time, public health research has focused on many and diverse types of vulnerable groups in society. Whether drug abusers, prison inmates, smokers, poverty-stricken, mentally ill, HIV positive, or any number of other ailments, the public health system and, in particular, researchers have addressed and reported on people and populations with so-called deficits. Research on these vulnerable groups has been designed, conducted, reported, discussed and analysed, but vulnerable groups continue and, in fact, appear to be increasing in number, size, and range. An alternative approach that begins with entirely different questions is possible and advisable. Public health research could, and in the author's point of view, should, examine the lifestyles and, specifically, decision-making by members of elite groups. Studying up the economic and political ladder calls for examination of how a few reap enormous benefits for themselves, leaving the rest of us to our misfortune. Such decisions as the elite groups make affects resource allocation, use of information, and results in the public health and other social, economic, military, and political sectors in society.

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Author information

Author/s: Gregory, Robert J (RJ);

Affiliation: School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. R.J.Gregory@massey.ac.nz

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comment; Journal Article

Journal: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health (Aust N Z J Public Health), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Feb; vol 26 (issue 1) : pp 6-7

Dates: Created 2002/03/15; Completed 2002/04/10; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 11895029, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentOn: Aust N Z J Public Health. 2001 Oct;25(5):387-8. (PMID: 11688614)

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