title: Promoting Community Health and Eliminating Health Disparities Through Community-Based Participatory Research.
abstract: In physical therapy, there is increasing focus on the need at the community level to promote health, eliminate disparities in health status, and ameliorate risk factors among underserved minorities. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is the most promising paradigm for pursuing these goals. Community-based participatory research stresses equitable partnering of the community and investigators in light of local social, structural, and cultural elements. Throughout the research process, the CBPR model emphasizes coalition and team building that joins partners with diverse skills/expertise, knowledge, and sensitivities. This article presents core concepts and principles of CBPR and the rationale for its application in the management of health issues at the community level. Community-based participatory research is now commonly used to address public health issues. A literature review identified limited reports of its use in physical therapy research and services. A published study is used to illustrate features of CBPR for physical therapy. The purpose of this article is to promote an understanding of how physical therapists could use CBPR as a promising way to advance the profession's goals of community health and elimination of health care disparities, and social responsibility. Funding opportunities for the support of CBPR are noted.
authors.affiliation: R. Xia, MS, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Saint Mary, 4100 S 4th St, Leavenworth, KS 66048 (USA). ruiping.xia@stmary.edu.
authors.forename: Ruiping
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: J.R. Stone, MD, PhD, Center for Health Policy and Ethics, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: J.E. Hoffman, PT, DPT, CCS, Department of Physical Therapy, Creighton University.
authors.forename: Julie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: S.G. Klappa, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Saint Mary, and Department of Physical Therapy, Davenport University, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Klappa
mesh_terms: D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012941:Social Responsibility