title: Leveraging community-academic partnerships to improve healthy food access in an urban, Kansas City, Kansas, community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Americans can combat overweight (OW) and obesity by eating unprocessed, fresh foods. However, all Americans do not have equal access to these recommended foods. Low-income, minority, urban neighborhoods in particular often have limited access to healthy resources, although they are vulnerable to higher levels of OW and obesity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This project used community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles to investigate the food needs of residents and develop a business plan to improve access to healthy food options in an urban, Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Partner community organizations were mobilized to conduct a Community Food Assessment survey. The surveys were accompanied by flyers that were part of the communication engagement strategy. Statistical analysis of the surveys was conducted. We engaged low-income, minority population (40% Latino, 30% African American) urban communities at the household level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey results provided in-depth information about residents' food needs and thoughts on how to improve food access. Results were reported to community members at a town hall style meeting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developing a strategic plan to engage a community and develop trust is crucial to sustaining a partnership particularly when working with underserved communities. This project demonstrates that, if well managed, the benefits of academic and community partnerships outweigh the challenges thus such relationships should be encouraged and supported by communities, academic institutions, local and national government, and funders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A CBPR approach to understanding an urban community's food needs and opinions is important for comprehensive food access planning.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine, Research Division, USA.
authors.forename: Natabhona M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Mabachi
authors.forename: Kim S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kimminau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003256:Community Participation; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D035502:Trust; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult