Evidence-based inquiry in global and community health forms the foundation for informed decision-making and policy development. It involves systematically collecting, analyzing, and applying research evidence to address significant health issues. Since information and unproven allegations can influence people's minds—where incorrect information creates bad decision-making—it is imperative to break down evidence and turn it into functional solutions. Evidence-based research is about research and forming a culture of investigation, doubt, and skepticism. It ensures that strong data, rather than assumptions, inform health interventions, advocacy, and policy suggestions. This skill allows public health practitioners to identify and analyze health disparities through quantitative and qualitative research methods. It also allows them to evaluate interventions for efficacy from data analysis and advance evidence-informed policies for better health outcomes within the community. The evidenced-based inquiry also enhances communication of the complexity of research findings between research scientists, practitioners, and policy- and decision-making stakeholders to communities in a big way.
Throughout my academic career, I have applied evidence-based inquiry to numerous research studies, enhancing my ability to connect scientific research with real-life health problems. My study on micronutrient status and environmental enteric dysfunction in children in rural Bangladesh had to examine the interplay between biological, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants that shape child health outcomes. With literature synthesis, exploration of complex data, and drawing well-thought-out conclusions, I witnessed directly the impact quality research has on nutritional and public health policy for vulnerable populations. My research into climate change's effect on farmworker migrants did much the same. By analyzing agriculture technology, I produced information that can assist farmworkers in scaling up their skills to combat climate change with more sustainable farming practices while increasing their economic mobility through higher-paying jobs.
Outside of my research projects, my experience at SHOP Talk has promoted the value of research to action. From creating educational materials to hosting discussions, I have made it a priority for evidence-based mental health practices to be shared and valuable in the communities where we work. This exposure has helped further develop my skills in closing the gap between academic study and community-based work—a valuable asset in public health and policy-related activities. The ability to gather, analyze, and apply evidence has been central to my student and subsequent professional life. Evidence-based practice is not only academic but also a philosophy of my subsequent professional life as a health policy, law, and advocacy specialist. Whether evaluating public health legislation, advocating for marginalized groups, or shaping research-guided legal reforms, I strive to apply my research abilities to inform effective policy change.
In the end, evidence-based research is a highly effective way of strengthening public health and policy. It bridges the research and practice worlds, rendering solutions innovative, feasible, and just. By continually sharpening my research skillset and applying it to practice problems, I aim to help create a saner, more just healthcare system. Whether through policy-guided research, public health action, or legal activism, I am committed to using evidence-based inquiry as a vehicle for creating beneficial change in global and community health.