Community-based participatory research from the margin to the mainstream: are researchers prepared?
Despite an increasing arsenal of effective treatments, there are mounting challenges in developing strategies that prevent and control cardiovascular diseases, and that can be sustained and scaled to meet the needs of those most vulnerable to their impact. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an approach to conducting research by equitably partnering researchers and those directly affected by and knowledgeable of the local circumstances that impact health. To inform research design, implementation and dissemination, this approach challenges academic and community partners to invest in team building, share resources, and mutually exchange ideas and expertise. CBPR has led to a deeper understanding of the myriad factors influencing health and illness, a stream of ideas and innovations, and there are expanding opportunities for funding and academic advancement. To maximize the chance that CBPR will lead to tangible, lasting health benefits for communities, researchers will need to balance rigorous research with routine adoption of its conduct in ways that respectfully, productively and equally involve local partners. If successful, lessons learned should inform policy and inspire structural changes in healthcare systems and in communities.
Horowitz
Carol R
CR
Department of Health Policy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA. carol.horowitz@mssm.edu
Robinson
Mimsie
M
Seifer
Sarena
S
D035843:Biomedical Research; D015510:Clinical Medicine; D003256:Community Participation; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D032984:Ethics, Research; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012107:Research Design; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors