title: Engaging African American women in research: an approach to eliminate health disparities in the African American community.
abstract: To explore the success of community-based participatory research [CBPR] in engaging African American women to achieve health equity by elucidating community, trust, communication and impact. Recommendations helpful for researchers interested in engaging communities to achieve health equity in the USA are included.
  
  
  
  African American women experience health disparities of multifactorial etiology and are underrepresented in research. CBPR is a collaborative approach that incorporates perspectives, which address the intricate determinants of health and has been reported as an effective means to address health disparities. Yet, the science of CBPR seems elusive to researchers in the medical field. The opportunity exists to better understand and expand the use of the principles of engagement, replication, and sustainability in engaging African American women in health research.
  
  
  
  A variety of literature regarding engaging African American women in community-based participatory research was reviewed.
  
  
  
  CBPR focused on robust engagement of marginalized groups continues to be validated as a vital approach to the elimination of disparities and improved health for all, especially ethnic and racial minority populations. However, limited evidence of focused engagement of African American women was found. Making specific outreach to African American women must be a community and patient engagement priority to achieve health equity.
  
  
  
  Continued research is needed which specifically focuses on building and sustaining engagement with African American women and their communities. This research can transform healthcare access, experiences and outcomes by yielding actionable information about what African American women need and want to promote wellness for themselves and their communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine & Rural Health, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Joedrecka S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Brown Speights
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra C H
authors.initials: ACH
authors.lastname: Nowakowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine & Rural Health, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Leon
authors.affiliation: Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council, Tallahassee, FL, USA and.
authors.forename: M Miaisha
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D003142:Communication; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D064890:Social Determinants of Health
keywords: African American women; community engagement; community-based participatory research; racism; social determinants of health.