Lessons learned: Conducting a pilot intervention within a CBPR framework

As the use of participatory approaches in community-based research has grown, it has become increasingly important to examine and share how partnerships address different types of challenges. In this presentation, we describe the challenges and opportunities associated with conducting a pilot intervention within a longstanding community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership. The Healthy Environments Partnership (HEP), a community-academic partnership involving community-based organizations, health service providers, and academic institutions, was established in 2000 to investigate and address racial and socioeconomic disparities in cardiovascular disease among Detroit residents. In the fall of 2006, HEP conducted an extensive community assessment and planning process that culminated with the development of a multilevel intervention to promote active communities and increase supply and demand for healthy foods in three Detroit neighborhoods. One component of this intervention was piloted and consisted of neighborhood walking groups situated at two community-based organizations represented on the HEP steering committee and one faith-based organization. We present findings from the evaluation of the walking groups, with a particular focus on the experience of the organizations who hosted the walking groups. We examine facilitating factors as well as challenges experienced by the host sites, and discuss lessons learned for use of a participatory process to pilot community interventions.