Power of a community dialogue as a community-based participatory research strategy and approach to make systemic changes

A community dialogue is defined by the U.S. Department of Justice (2003) as a forum to exchange information face-to-face, share personal stories and experiences, honestly express perspectives, clarify viewpoints, and develop solutions to community concerns. Community dialogues capture not only the knowledge and experiences of the community, but also the challenges that prevent people from obtaining the necessary resources that they deserve. In April, 2009 the Hispanic Health Council and the NIH EXPORT Center for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos conducted a community dialogue on Latinas' health. The primary objectives of the dialogue were to document: 1) community members' expression of their perceptions of needed solutions to stress and maternal health problems due to the school system and food insecurity; and 2) community leaders' commitments to working for systemic change to achieve the desired solutions. A total of 40 community members and leaders attended the dialogue. Major findings included: 1) the need to establish community gardens in the city to enable people to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables; and 2) the need to educate the community about the specific processes involved in advocating for change in the school system. Community leaders publicly committed to: 1) help increase food access by organizing a local community garden and farmers' market; and 2) help empower and educate community members to self-advocate within bureaucratic (educational) systems. As a direct result of this community dialogue, systemic changes in both public education and food access are in process in Hartford, CT. NIH-NCMHD Grant #P20MD0017650.