Under the shadow of Tuskegee: African Americans and health care.
V N Gamble
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison 53706, USA.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study continues to cast its long shadowon the contemporary relationship between African Americans andthe biomedical community. Numerous reports have argued thatthe Tuskegee Syphilis Study is the most important reason whymany African Americans distrust the institutions of medicineand public health. Such an interpretation neglects a criticalhistorical point: the mistrust predated public revelations aboutthe Tuskegee study. This paper places the syphilis study withina broader historical and social context to demonstrate thatseveral factors have influenced--and continue to influence--AfricanAmerican's attitudes toward the biomedical community.
Related articles in AJPH:
Annotation: racism resurgent--building a bridge to the 19th century.
G. E. Wyatt Enhancing Cultural and Contextual Intervention Strategies to Reduce HIV/AIDS Among African Americans
Am J Public Health,
November 1, 2009;
99(11):
1941 - 1945.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
B. Bozeman, C. Slade, and P. Hirsch Understanding Bureaucracy in Health Science Ethics: Toward a Better Institutional Review Board
Am J Public Health,
September 1, 2009;
99(9):
1549 - 1556.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
K. Wells and L. Jones "Research" in Community-Partnered, Participatory Research
JAMA,
July 15, 2009;
302(3):
320 - 321.
[Full Text][PDF]
V. L. Bonham, T. Citrin, S. M. Modell, T. H. Franklin, E. W. B. Bleicher, and L. M. Fleck Community-Based Dialogue: Engaging Communities of Color in the United States' Genetics Policy Conversation
Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law,
June 1, 2009;
34(3):
325 - 359.
[Abstract][PDF]
Ge Gao, N. Burke, C. P. Somkin, and R. Pasick Considering Culture in Physician-- Patient Communication During Colorectal Cancer Screening
Qual Health Res,
June 1, 2009;
19(6):
778 - 789.
[Abstract][PDF]
B. Chung, L. Jones, A. Jones, C. E. Corbett, T. Booker, K. B. Wells, and B. Collins Using Community Arts Events to Enhance Collective Efficacy and Community Engagement toAddress Depression in an African American Community
Am J Public Health,
February 1, 2009;
99(2):
237 - 244.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
S. Saha Rectifying Institutional Bias in Medical Research
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med,
February 1, 2009;
163(2):
181 - 182.
[Full Text][PDF]
S. Epstein The rise of 'recruitmentology': clinical research, racial knowledge, and the politics of inclusion and difference.
Social Studies of Science,
October 1, 2008;
38(5):
801 - 832.
[Abstract][PDF]
D. M. Boutain and C. Spigner How Family, Community, and Work Structured High Blood Pressure Accounts: From African Americans in Washington State
J Holist Nurs,
September 1, 2008;
26(3):
173 - 182.
[Abstract][PDF]
J. M. Linton and C. Feudtner What Accounts for Differences or Disparities in Pediatric Palliative and End-of-Life Care? A Systematic Review Focusing on Possible Multilevel Mechanisms
Pediatrics,
September 1, 2008;
122(3):
574 - 582.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
W. R. Smith, J. R. Betancourt, M. K. Wynia, J. Bussey-Jones, V. E. Stone, C. O. Phillips, A. Fernandez, E. Jacobs, and J. Bowles Recommendations for Teaching about Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care
Ann Intern Med,
November 6, 2007;
147(9):
654 - 665.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
M. L. Beach, A. B. Flood, C. M. Robinson, A. N. Cassells, J. N. Tobin, M. A. Greene, and A. J. Dietrich Can Language-Concordant Prevention Care Managers Improve Cancer Screening Rates?
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.,
October 1, 2007;
16(10):
2058 - 2064.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
Z. Sternberg, F. E. Munschauer III, S. S. Carrow, and E. Sternberg Faith-placed cardiovascular health promotion: a framework for contextual and organizational factors underlying program success
Health Educ. Res.,
October 1, 2007;
22(5):
619 - 629.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
K. Armstrong, K. L. Ravenell, S. McMurphy, and M. Putt Racial/Ethnic Differences in Physician Distrust in the United States
Am J Public Health,
July 1, 2007;
97(7):
1283 - 1289.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. Jones and K. B. Wells Genomics and Public Health Research--Reply
JAMA,
June 6, 2007;
297(21):
2348 - 2348.
[Full Text][PDF]
D. H. Suite, S. A. Rollin, J. C. Bowman, and R. D. la Bril From Fear to Faith: Efficacy of Trauma Assessment Training for New York-Based Southern Baptist Church Groups
Research on Social Work Practice,
March 1, 2007;
17(2):
258 - 263.
[Abstract][PDF]
H. Brody and L. M. Hunt BiDil: Assessing a Race-Based Pharmaceutical
Ann. Fam. Med,
November 1, 2006;
4(6):
556 - 560.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
J. Malat Expanding research on the racial disparity in medical treatment with ideas from sociology.
Health (London) ,
July 1, 2006;
10(3):
303 - 321.
[Abstract][PDF]
J. A. Kelley-Moore Assessing racial health inequality in older adulthood: comparisons from mixed-mode panel interviews.
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci.,
July 1, 2006;
61(4):
S212 - S220.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L L Wall The medical ethics of Dr J Marion Sims: a fresh look at the historical record.
J. Med. Ethics,
June 1, 2006;
32(6):
346 - 350.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
K. C. Stange and L. S. Acheson In This Issue: Communication in the Era of 'Personalized' Medicine
Ann. Fam. Med,
May 1, 2006;
4(3):
194 - 196.
[Full Text][PDF]
R. J. Blendon, C. M. DesRoches, M. S. Cetron, J. M. Benson, T. Meinhardt, and W. Pollard Attitudes Toward The Use Of Quarantine In A Public Health Emergency In Four Countries
Health Aff.,
March 1, 2006;
25(2):
w15 - w25.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
H. S. Gordon, R. L. Street Jr, B. F. Sharf, P. A. Kelly, and J. Souchek Racial Differences in Trust and Lung Cancer Patients' Perceptions of Physician Communication
J. Clin. Oncol.,
February 20, 2006;
24(6):
904 - 909.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
A. D. Abernethy, M. M. Magat, T. R. Houston, H. L. Arnold Jr., J. P. Bjorck, and R. L. Gorsuch Recruiting African American Men for Cancer Screening Studies: Applying a Culturally Based Model
Health Educ Behav,
August 1, 2005;
32(4):
441 - 451.
[Abstract][PDF]
A.-E. Birn and N. Molina In the Name of Public Health
Am J Public Health,
July 1, 2005;
95(7):
1095 - 1097.
[Full Text][PDF]
A. K. Yancey, R. G. Robinson, R. K. Ross, R. Washington, H. R. Goodell, N. J. Goodwin, E. R. Benjamin, R. G. Langie, J. M. Galloway, L. N. Carroll, et al. Discovering the Full Spectrum of Cardiovascular Disease: Minority Health Summit 2003: Report of the Advocacy Writing Group
Circulation,
March 15, 2005;
111(10):
e140 - e149.
[Full Text][PDF]
J. C. Blanchard, Y. Haywood, B. D. Stein, T. L. Tanielian, M. Stoto, and N. Lurie In Their Own Words: Lessons Learned From Those Exposed to Anthrax
Am J Public Health,
March 1, 2005;
95(3):
489 - 495.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
D. Klein, C. Turvey, and R. Wallace Elders Who Delay Medication Because of Cost: Health Insurance, Demographic, Health, and Financial Correlates
Gerontologist,
December 1, 2004;
44(6):
779 - 787.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
M. A. GRAHAM, H. L. LOGAN, and S. L. TOMAR Is trust a predictor of having a dental home?
J Am Dent Assoc,
November 1, 2004;
135(11):
1550 - 1558.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
P. A. Lichtenberg, D. R. Brown, J. S. Jackson, and O. Washington Normative Health Research Experiences Among African American Elders
J Aging Health,
November 1, 2004;
16(5_suppl):
78S - 92S.
[Abstract][PDF]
G. Moreno-John, A. Gachie, C. M. Fleming, A. NApoles-Springer, E. Mutran, S. M. Manson, and E. J. PErez-Stable Ethnic Minority Older Adults Participating in Clinical Research: Developing Trust
J Aging Health,
November 1, 2004;
16(5_suppl):
93S - 123S.
[Abstract][PDF]
C. Hughes, S. K. Peterson, A. Ramirez, K. J. Gallion, P. G. McDonald, C. S. Skinner, and D. Bowen Minority Recruitment in Hereditary Breast Cancer Research
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.,
July 1, 2004;
13(7):
1146 - 1155.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
N. L. Keating, T. K. Gandhi, E. J. Orav, D. W. Bates, and J. Z. Ayanian Patient Characteristics and Experiences Associated With Trust in Specialist Physicians
Arch Intern Med,
May 10, 2004;
164(9):
1015 - 1020.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
A. M. Torke, G. M. Corbie-Smith, and W. T. Branch Jr African American Patients' Perspectives on Medical Decision Making
Arch Intern Med,
March 8, 2004;
164(5):
525 - 530.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
N. Peters, A. Rose, and K. Armstrong The Association between Race and Attitudes about Predictive Genetic Testing
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev.,
March 1, 2004;
13(3):
361 - 365.
[Abstract][Full Text]
A. Ammerman, G. Corbie-Smith, D. M. M. St. George, C. Washington, B. Weathers, and B. Jackson-Christian Research Expectations Among African American Church Leaders in the PRAISE! Project: A Randomized Trial Guided by Community-Based Participatory Research
Am J Public Health,
October 1, 2003;
93(10):
1720 - 1727.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
J. Cloutterbuck and D. F. Mahoney African American Dementia Caregivers: The Duality of Respect
Dementia,
June 1, 2003;
2(2):
221 - 243.
[Abstract][PDF]
M. M. Metzler, D. L. Higgins, C. G. Beeker, N. Freudenberg, P. M. Lantz, K. D. Senturia, A. A. Eisinger, E. A. Viruell-Fuentes, B. Gheisar, A.-G. Palermo, et al. Addressing Urban Health in Detroit, New York City, and Seattle Through Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships
Am J Public Health,
May 1, 2003;
93(5):
803 - 811.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. T. Bonner On Bridging the Gap
Acad Psychiatry,
March 1, 2003;
27(1):
29 - 30.
[Full Text][PDF]
S. Thorburn Bird and L. M. Bogart Birth Control Conspiracy Beliefs, Perceived Discrimination, and Contraception among African Americans: An Exploratory Study
J Health Psychol,
March 1, 2003;
8(2):
263 - 276.
[Abstract][PDF]
J. Warren-Findlow, T. R. Prohaska, and D. Freedman Challenges and Opportunities in Recruiting and Retaining Underrepresented Populations Into Health Promotion Research
Gerontologist,
March 1, 2003;
43(90001):
37 - 46.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
G. Corbie-Smith, S. B. Thomas, and D. M. M. St. George Distrust, Race, and Research
Arch Intern Med,
November 25, 2002;
162(21):
2458 - 2463.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
G.-Y. Hong Variations on the Theme of 'Inclusion' in Scientific Services Research
Culture Psychology,
June 1, 2002;
8(2):
267 - 278.
[PDF]
L. M. Crawley, P. A. Marshall, B. Lo, B. A. Koenig, and for the End-of-Life Care Consensus Panel* Strategies for Culturally Effective End-of-Life Care
Ann Intern Med,
May 7, 2002;
136(9):
673 - 679.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
E. Bruera, N. Russell, C. Sweeney, M. Fisch, and J. L. Palmer Place of Death and Its Predictors for Local Patients Registered at a Comprehensive Cancer Center
J. Clin. Oncol.,
April 15, 2002;
20(8):
2127 - 2133.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
A. Ammerman, C. Washington, B. Jackson, B. Weathers, M. Campbell, G. Davis, D. Garson-Angert, R. J. Paige Sr., C. Parks-Bani, M. Joyner, et al. The Praise! Project:: A Church-Based Nutrition Intervention Designed for Cultural Appropriateness, Sustainability, and Diffusion
Health Promot Pract,
April 1, 2002;
3(2):
286 - 301.
[Abstract][PDF]
C. E. Earl and P. J. Penney The Significance of Trust in the Research Consent Process with African Americans
West J Nurs Res,
November 1, 2001;
23(7):
753 - 762.
[PDF]
N. Chaturvedi Ethnicity as an epidemiological determinant--crudely racist or crucially important?
Int. J. Epidemiol.,
October 1, 2001;
30(5):
925 - 927.
[Full Text][PDF]
S. K. Kumanyika, C. B. Morssink, and M. Nestle Minority Women and Advocacy for Women's Health
Am J Public Health,
September 1, 2001;
91(9):
1383 - 1392.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
M. Sullivan, A. Kone, K. D. Senturia, N. J. Chrisman, S. J. Ciske, and J. W. Krieger Researcher and Researched-Community Perspectives: Toward Bridging the Gap
Health Educ Behav,
April 1, 2001;
28(2):
130 - 149.
[Abstract][PDF]
M. M. Desai, M. L. Bruce, R. A. Desai, and B. G. Druss Validity of Self-reported Cancer History: A Comparison of Health Interview Data and Cancer Registry Records
Am. J. Epidemiol.,
February 1, 2001;
153(3):
299 - 306.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
K. O. Plowden and A. F. Z. Wenger Stranger to Friend Enabler: Creating a Community of Caring in African American Research Using Ethnonursing Methods
J Transcult Nurs,
January 1, 2001;
12(1):
34 - 39.
[Abstract][PDF]
T. A. LaVeist, K. J. Nickerson, and J. V. Bowie Attitudes about Racism, Medical Mistrust, and Satisfaction with Care among African American and White Cardiac Patients
Med Care Res Rev,
December 1, 2000;
57(4_suppl):
146 - 161.
[Abstract][PDF]
L. C. Einbinder and K. A. Schulman The Effect of Race on the Referral Process for Invasive Cardiac Procedures
Med Care Res Rev,
December 1, 2000;
57(4_suppl):
162 - 180.
[Abstract][PDF]
S. B. Thomas and S. C. Quinn Light on the Shadow of the Syphilis Study at Tuskegee
Health Promot Pract,
July 1, 2000;
1(3):
234 - 237.
[PDF]
R. M. White Unraveling the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis
Arch Intern Med,
March 13, 2000;
160(5):
585 - 598.
[Full Text][PDF]
S. Saha, M. Komaromy, T. D. Koepsell, and A. B. Bindman Patient-Physician Racial Concordance and the Perceived Quality and Use of Health Care
Arch Intern Med,
May 10, 1999;
159(9):
997 - 1004.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. A. Siminoff and R. Arnold Increasing Organ Donation in the African-American Community: Altruism in the Face of an Untrustworthy System
Ann Intern Med,
April 6, 1999;
130(7):
607 - 609.
[Full Text][PDF]
P. B. Gorelick Cerebrovascular Disease in African Americans
Stroke,
December 1, 1998;
29(12):
2656 - 2664.
[Full Text][PDF]