Participation in Health Education, Health Promotion, and Health Research by African Americans: Effects of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment (TSE) on participation in health promotion activities and research studies by African Americans. Random-digit dialing was used to interview 421 adults with telephones living in households in Jefferson County, Alabama in the summer of 1994. Respondents were asked if they had ever heard of the TSE and, if yes, because they knew about the experiment, were they less interested in participating in health promotion or research activities. The primary results were that African Americans, in general, reported less interest in participating in health promotion and research because of their knowledge of the TSE. African American males in particular reported a high degree of resistance because of knowledge of the TSE. These results may have implications for practitioners and researchers recruiting African American subjects for research studies and participation in health promotion and health education programs. It may be necessary to discuss the Tuskegee Experiment openly and to address concerns of the African American community regarding this issue. This open discussion about The TSE may help rebuild trust and allow for development of programs and services that meet the needs of the African American community.