A network assessment of community-based participatory research: linking communities and universities to reduce cancer disparities.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether a community-based initiative designed to reduce cancer disparities among Pacific Islanders in Southern California increased communications between community-based organizations and university researchers.


METHODS
We conducted network analysis among 11 community-based organizations (CBOs) and 5 universities by interviewing 91 and 56 members of these organizations, respectively, at 2 points in time. We estimated random effects probit regression and stochastic actor-oriented network dynamic models.


RESULTS
We found that, during the 2-year study period, CBOs increased their connectedness with one another (b= 0.44; P < .05) and to the universities (b = 0.46; P < .05), but that university researchers did not increase their connectedness to each other or to CBOs.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer awareness, cancer education, and access to cancer services are low among Pacific Island groups, and this study provides an initial attempt to reduce these disparities. Community-based initiatives can strengthen a CBO network, creating the potential for increased community-informed cancer research and improved community access to cancer research resources.
Valente
Thomas W
TW
Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA 91803, USA. tvalente@usc.edu
Fujimoto
Kayo
K
Palmer
Paula
P
Tanjasiri
Sora Park
SP
D002140:California; D019058:Community Networks; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018511:Systems Integration; D013598:Systems Theory
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