A recent global study, led by Dr. George Karystianis and Professor Tony Butler from UNSW School of Population Health, sheds light on significant disparities in research related to prisoner health. The research, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Formative Research, examined epidemiological criminology studies across different income-level countries and within the academic community’s focus compared to the incarcerated population.
The investigation, conducted in collaboration with UNSW, revealed notable differences in research priorities based on income status. Countries with lower income levels, like Pakistan and Malawi, had a distinct impact on the research outcomes compared to higher income nations like Switzerland and Australia.
Using advanced natural language processing techniques, the team analyzed over 20,000 abstracts related to offender health. They discovered that research primarily focused on mental health, infectious diseases, and substance use, aligning with the priorities of prisoners.
However, topics such as cognitive and intellectual disability, post-release health maintenance, education, and women’s/maternal health were underrepresented in research themes.
The study also identified a growing trend in research activity since the mid-1980s, with a focus on substance use and HIV. Low-income countries contributed minimally to this research, emphasizing the influence of socioeconomic conditions and immediate health threats on research priorities.
The research suggests the need for a broader focus on critical topics within this field to address the diverse needs of incarcerated populations.
