Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR): An effective tool for change

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an applied collaborative approach that enables community residents to more actively participate in the total spectrum of research (from conception – design – conduct – analysis – interpretation – conclusions – communication of results) with a goal of influencing change in community health, systems, programs or policies. Community members and researchers partner to combine knowledge and action for social change to address often complex health problems and improve community health, particularly amongst disadvantaged populations. Academic/research and community partners collaborate to develop models and approaches to building communication, trust and capacity, with the final goal of increasing community participation in the research process. It is an orientation to research which equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR is the most comprehensive approach along the spectrum of community research calling for full community engagement and participation intended to facilitate maximum impact and sustainability.

Increasingly, CBPR is regarded as an alternative research paradigm which integrates education and social action aimed at improving health. Recent case studies and evaluation efforts have proven CBPR to be an effective tool for generating enhanced health outcomes particularly in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention and health disparities research. As such, the National Institutes of Health increasingly supports CBPR approaches and progressively solicits relevant research projects through funding opportunity announcements.