Translating Community-based Research into Program and Advocacy Goals

Community-based organizations are often at the forefront of informing programs and policies that aim to benefit socially under-represented communities. Although many under-served communities typically experience increased risks for developing preventable illnesses, practitioners often struggle with ways to translate locally collected qualitative data into improved health and human services. This is especially true with regard to socially and culturally specific information. One particularly problematic aspect of this is the ability of small organizations to handle copious amounts of qualitative data in ways that are meaningful to program and policy goals. This study uses text analyses to mine multiple qualitative data sources and suggests how findings from these various sources intersect with each other and with program goals. A major strength of the study shows how text analysis is a useful way to evaluate the reliability of qualitative data generated in small communities. Sources of data include focus group and key informant interviews, and household telephone-based interviews. When conducted, the primary goals of the qualitative interviews were to understand tobacco smoking related issues, healthcare access and health-seeking among Phoenix's growing Asian and Pacific Islander communities. All surveys were conducted in 2009 by the Asian Pacific Community in Action, a Phoenix based health outreach and advocacy organization serving Maricopa County residents. As local policies and initiatives increasingly seek to integrate community needs/assets, through culturally diverse, participatory, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, this community based assessment demonstrates how community based researchers can reliably draw upon disparate sources of data to promote equitable program and advocacy goals.