Using participatory methodologies to promote site-specific, community-driven learning and decision-making

While health researchers increasingly have adopted participatory processes for identifying and studying site-specific problems, more traditional uni- and bi-directional approaches continue to drive environmental health communication efforts. This round table will discuss ways in which health communicators can move beyond traditional community outreach strategies and toward engaging communities in truly collaborative learning and decision-making, achieving outcomes that resonate with community values, culture and perspectives about the future. Participants will discuss the theoretical roots, evolution, and diversity of participatory communication approaches. Specifically, the round table will explore the benefits and the unique challenges of participatory communication methods, with an eye toward identifying recommended practices for the field.