Why Engage Communities in Biomedical Research?

Bibliographic Data

ID22414740
AuthorsRobert Steel (0000-0003-4879-2070, Clinical Center Department of Bioethics NIH Bethesda Maryland USA, corresponding author)
Year2026
Publication date2026-07-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBioethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-9702 • E-ISSN: 1467-8519
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/bioe.70155
PMID42460682
OpenAlexW7168491004
LanguageEN
References cited28

While community engagement in biomedical research is widely lauded, and many reasons to engage communities have been adduced, it is unclear whether all these reasons are equally important, and, if not, which are most important. Here, I argue that, outside of rare circumstances, community engagement should not be understood as seeking permission from communities. Rather, it should be understood as adding value to research. I also argue that while community engagement may add value in a variety of ways—including making research more respectful, more empowering, and more likely to successfully translate into health gains—it is the health gains that should be its primary focus.

Community engagement · Community health · Permission · Public engagement · Community Health and Development · Ethics in Clinical Research · Mental Health and Patient Involvement

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Open DOIOpen Access