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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Kymberly Cravatt, MPH, June E. Eichner, PhD, and Timothy Taylor, PhD. Native American Prevention Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 800 N.E. 15th St., Room 532, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, (405) 271-2330, kymberly-cravatt@ouhsc.edu
American Indian communities have long born a burden of contributing to public health research by providing the population to study. Historically, few possibilities for communities to address their own needs through research were in existence. However, the evolving approach of community-based, participatory research in which communities are able to work with researchers to address needs specific to their population provides an avenue to be true contributors to the research that takes place within their communities. One of the opportunities for communities to participate in addressing research issues is participation on Community Advisory Boards (CAB).
CABs provide a unique opportunity for both investigators and community members to come together and work towards a mutual goal. In addition, CABs provide grassroots insight and first-hand knowledge of the needs and resources of the communities they represent. This knowledge is particularly valuable when working with American Indian communities where a strong cultural heritage is an omnipresent but often overlooked factor in health and health research.
With these considerations, the Native American Prevention Research Center (NAPRC) has implemented an approach that best fosters meeting research goals with community participation. Establishing diversity in the composition of CABs helps to reflect the larger community. Participatory research utilizing CABs is a progressive means to meet challenges as well as research and community goals for American Indian communities.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Participation, Participatory Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.