ProjectDISH: Baltimore – A CBPR Approach to Investigating Schooling as a Social Determinant of Health

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to use a youth-led community based participatory research (CBPR) approach to investigate how schools affect adolescent health and development.

Methods: Working with a Kellogg Community Health Scholar, community and academic partners, ten youth from the Baltimore Algebra Project attended a six-week Youth Research Institute in Summer 2010 to learn about research, health and educational disparities, social determinants of health, and to design this study. This study involves four research methods: photovoice, focus groups (group discussion and a cognitive mapping method called x-ray maps), survey and salivary cortisol. The photovoice is conducted by the youth researchers (n=6, ages 15-23), and the study participants (n=100, ages 13-19, Baltimore public school students) are recruited for the other methods.

Results: Data collection is conducted in Spring 2011. At APHA we will present our photovoice findings on the social determinants of health in schools. We will also present preliminary results concerning our main research questions (What educational practices, policies and conditions function as social determinants of health? What stressors do adolescents self-report in schools? What school factors/educational experiences act as stressors for teens?)

Conclusions: The CBPR approach is a way to involve youth in research on issues that matter: school, teen health and everyday life. Youth researchers learn about important and interesting topics that helps their own education and health. CBPR helps to make sure research is valid and meaningful to the community being studied and useful for organizing, policy and trying to make schools and communities better.