221937 Results of true community engagement and outreach: The Jackson Heart Study

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Donna Antoine-LaVigne, MSED, MPH, PhD , Jackson State University, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson, MS
Cynthia Dorsey Smith, BA , Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Chetonya Perkins, MPH , United Health Care, Ridgeland, MS
Sophia Leggett, PhD, MPH , College of Public Service School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Evelyn Walker, MD, MPH , NHLBI Field Site, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson, MS
Felix A. Okojie, EdD, MPH, CRA , Provost /Vice President of Federal Relations Jackson State University, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Cheryl Nelson, MSPH , National Heart Lung & Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD
Daniel Sarpong, PhD , Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Objectives: The objectives of this study are: 1) to describe the community engagement and outreach strategies and 2) the adaptation of the Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach in assembling the largest cohort of African Americans (n=5301) at a single-site epidemiological investigation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Investigators utilized the community based participatory research (CBPR) approach to build and maintain community trust during the initial phase of the JHS and to establish the foundation for successful future exam periods. The process of building trust among community, investigators and academia began with the identification and implementation of four key components: 1) creating community awareness; 2) informing the community of the study's recruitment criteria and benefits; 3) involving community as co-investigators through active participation on key decision making committees; and 4) providing mechanisms to convey cardiovascular health information to the community. Results: Community partnership in the JHS is evidenced by sustained networks of key community and faith stakeholders; sustained media campaigns; and community participatory activities. These sustainable community outreach approaches provided immediate benefits to the community, while strengthening trust and the collaborative relationship between community, investigators and academia. Conclusions: This description of JHS outreach strategies underscores important components of building trusting relationships between the community, investigators and academia. African Americans' participation in research studies is increased when the community is engaged as a partner at all phases of the research endeavor.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe strategies for developing community-based participation in research. 2. Evaluate effective outreach approaches in African-American communities.

Keywords: Community Outreach, Community Participation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I supervised the lead author during the time these activities and strategies were carried out and participated in the design of some of the strategies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.