Lessons learned and future directions for the REACH Detroit Partnership Steering Committee

This presentation describes the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the REACH Detroit Partnership, an inter-ethnic, community-based, participatory research project aimed at eliminating disparities in diabetes among African American and Latino residents of Eastside and Southwest Detroit. This CDC-funded partnership has been conducting a multi-level, integrated intervention from 2000-2007.

We focus on the results of personal interviews with the 15 members of the REACH Detroit Steering Committee, which includes representatives from community-based agencies, health systems, city and state health departments, and researchers. The results of the interviews are compiled and presented for analysis and interpretation annually to the Steering Committee at monthly meetings. Other data sources, including progress reports and meeting minutes, were also useful for highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned over the course of the partnership.

Several themes emerged over the years that facilitated the success of REACH Detroit, including: (1) an empowerment approach that builds the capacity of residents, health professionals, and community organizations to promote healthy lifestyles; (2) the development and implementation of a community action plan that largely met its objectives; (3) successful dissemination of findings to community residents, health professionals, and researchers through presentations at community events and forums, continuing medical education courses, and academic publications; and (4) sustainability, through grants, consultation, and community capacity building activities. We also describe efforts aimed at increasing the capacity of Steering Committee itself and current plans for creating a national center of excellence. Barriers to success and implications for policy and program development are discussed.