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Background: Community involvement is crucial in the identification of health concerns and the development of strategies to resolve them. Experience from the field indicates that data from coalition and community members are essential in the identification of critical elements, processes, and challenges in the development of effective community health promotion and prevention programs.[1]
[1] O’Fallon L. R and Dearry, Allen.( 2002). Community-Based Participatory Research as a Tool to Advance Environmental Health Sciences. Environmental Health Perspectives, 110 (2), 155-159.
Program background: The Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (MSM PRC) was established in 1998 and is the only historically black institution among a network of academic research centers funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to achieve local and national health objectives focused on disease prevention and gaining knowledge about the best methodologies for solving the nation's obstinate health problems. The MSM PRC is governed by a Community Coalition Board (CCB). Established in 1999, the CCB is comprises of representatives from academic institutions, agencies, and community neighborhoods, which partner with the MSM PRC in the execution of its mandate. The CCB operates under bylaws and serves as a policy-making board for the MSM PRC. Utilizing a community–based participatory approach, The MSM PRC conducted a needs assessment of its CCB to obtain their opinions, attitudes and recommendations on their function, and to identify areas for guidance with regards to strategic planning for improved and increased CCB engagement with the MSM PRC. The CCB assessment led to the creation of a data monitoring and evaluation joint sub-committee comprising the CCB, faculty, and staff from the MSM PRC, and a communications and technology committee, which utilizes social media tools- radio, newsletter, and community outreach - to promote, inform, influence, and motivate communities about important health issues.
Evaluation Methods and Results: Data were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Findings indicated the need for an electronic newsletter to inform the community about health issues, the conduction of a second community health assessment, the development of programs that focus on identified health issues and the organization of community health outreach activities like health fairs, lunch with doctor etc.
Conclusions: Working with community coalitions utilizing a participatory approach builds trust and a sense of ownership of health research and its outcome between researchers and the community. It helps in the identification and collective remediation of identified concerns, and expands the reach of health information dissemination efforts to the lay public as coalition members become more willing to partner in the dissemination of findings.
Implications for research and/or practice: Findings from the CCB assessment suggest strategies for increased community involvement in health promotion and identify some challenges inherent in health information dissemination. Reference Butterfoss, F.D. (2007). Coalitions and Partnerships in Community Health San Francisco: Jossey –Bass.