Ultimate form of translational research: The value of CBPR for dissemination and translation of research in multiple contexts

With the growing interest in closing the “chasm” between health education research and practice to eliminate health disparities, the potential benefits of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), with its commitment to balancing research and action, are increasingly being recognized. This presentation will focus on specific ways in which CBPR can help in the effective dissemination and translation of research into sustainable health promoting programs, practices and policies. Following a brief review of core principles of CBPR, we draw on two case studies, with farm workers and Native Americans with diabetes respectively, to illustrate the value added by this approach in improving the cultural relevance and acceptability of health education interventions and their subsequent uptake. Two additional case studies, with Asian immigrant workers and a largely African American community with high asthma rates then are used to demonstrate how CBPR adds value in “real time” dissemination and translation of research into sustainable change. As Horowitz et al. (2009) have noted, “CBPR may be the ultimate form of translational research…moving discoveries bi-directionally from bench to bedside to el barrio (the community) to organizations and policy makers”. Although not possible or applicable in all health education research contexts, we conclude that when it is appropriate, much value can be added to the research process and subsequent dissemination and translation of findings into practice through high level community and other stakeholder participation. We further highlight key lessons learned and their implications for the effective implementation of CBPR aimed at studying and addressing health disparities.