Sharla K. Willis, DrPH, was a Community Health Scholar at the University of Michigan, 1999-2000. The University of Michigan has a strong foundation in community-based participatory research, providing numerous opportunities for involvement. While a Scholar at this site, Dr. Willis worked on three interrelated projects aimed at reducing diabetes and cardiovascular disease risks in Latino and African American communities. The first, Hispanic Women's Perspectives on Physical Activity and Health, used a series of focus groups to develop a diabetes intervention with Latina women in Southwest Detroit. The second, Pilot Study on Exercise with Minority Pregnant Women, consisted of focus groups with Latina and African American women to discuss physical activity and hypertension. In the third project, Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Detroit Partnership, Dr. Willis conducted a formative evaluation focusing on both process and impact and participated in conducting and analyzing results from meetings with community residents. These projects are discussed briefly in this presentation, with an emphasis on lessons learned related to evaluation within a community-based partnership. Building and maintaining community-academic partnerships and balancing academic responsibilities with community-based research are primary foci of the Scholars Program. The relationship of the Community Health Scholars Program experience to Dr. Willis' current position is also discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe examples of community-based participatory research. 2. Discuss preliminary findings of community-based participatory research. 3. Identify lessons learned in a post-doctoral program about the process of conducting community-based participatory. 4. Discuss the impact of the Community Health Scholars Program experience in current work/research
Keywords: Community Research, Community-Based Partnership
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.