This is a very difficult time for New Zealanders dealing with the aftermath of the latest earthquakes – especially for those who have lived through the trauma and upheaval of the previous seismic events, and whose lives are still disrupted. The thoughts of the HRC team and the Board are with everyone that has been affected.
When natural disasters occur, researchers are keen to learn from the situation to predict, prevent or ameliorate adverse consequences resulting from future events or guide future responses. However, it is important to remember that research activity in disaster zones carries heightened ethical risk.
As a resource for researchers who wish to work with vulnerable communities, we are posting here the Ethical Guidelines for Post-Disaster Research, produced by The Natural Hazards Social Science Panel. It is also timely to remember clause 20 of the Declaration of Helsinki1 relating to vulnerable populations: “Medical research with a vulnerable group is only justified if the research is responsive to the health needs or priorities of this group and the research cannot be carried out in a non-vulnerable group. In addition, this group should stand to benefit from the knowledge, practices or interventions that result from the research.”
The HRC has supported research relating to the Canterbury earthquakes. In 2011, we partnered with the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation to invest in five projects needed to guide the response to future events, and understand the impact that earthquakes and the subsequent destruction and disruption have on health. A summary of the successful projects can be found here. Key findings from ‘Building community resilience: Learning from the Canterbury earthquakes’ are also provided on our website. In addition, the HRC has supported the Christchurch Health and Development Study to look at the long-term personal impact for Christchurch earthquake victims.
The HRC is reviewing how it might provide timely and responsive funding for research related to public health crises, in ways that best support affected communities. We welcome your feedback.
If you are thinking of undertaking health-related research with communities affected by the earthquakes and would like to talk to someone at the HRC about this, please contact:
Dr Tania Pocock, Group Manager, Research Policy, Strategy and Evaluation
1 WMA Declaration of Helsinki - Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, World Medical Association, http://www.wma.net/en/30publications/10policies/b3/, accessed 22 Nov 2016.