Academic-community practice partnerships: Effectiveness evaluated beyond the ivy walls

Community-based participatory research has furthered our understanding of the working principles required for academic-community partnerships to address persistent public health problems. However, little is known about how effective these academic-community partnerships have been in eliminating or reducing community-based public health issues. To address this gap in the literature, the authors studied the feasibility, value, and effectiveness their joint efforts were having in reducing public health burdens in their communities. CEPH-accredited schools and programs in public health in the United States and community groups working with these academic partners were surveyed to: (1) identify the local public health issues addressed geographically; (2) examine the characteristics of the partnership and the actual or perceived benefits and challenges for each partner; (3) assess the effectiveness of the partnership and the methodology implemented by the partnership to determine its success; and (4) analyze the intent to continue or dissolve the partnership and the associated factors that influence this decision. The authors suggest how effective academic-community collaborations facilitate a broad-based, goal-oriented approach that is flexible enough to allow the partners to implement an institutional and practical evaluation method that moves beyond academic limitations. The approach of combining public health theory with the practical experience, expertise, and leadership offered by the partners was reported as being more effective in addressing their persistent public health problem. The authors identify indicators of success and propose a model for evaluating the effectiveness of academic-community partnerships.