Tallahatchie Wellness! A successful community based participatory research approach to develop a community-university partnership to improve health in a Mississippi Delta community

This project describes the approach used to conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA) using community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles in a Mississippi Delta community.  It also describes the development of a successful community-university partnership.  The mixed-methods approach included five components: key informant interviews, focus groups, assessments of the built and nutrition environments, and assessment of selected health policies. Eighty-five residents participated in the focus groups and interviews.  Findings from the CHNA revealed priority health concerns, social and environmental issues, assets of the community, and existing organizations that could be involved in efforts to improve health. From these findings, a health outreach committee was developed through a local organization. The committee members are using the findings in the planning and development of efforts to improve health. In addition, the community-university partnership continues to grow, as are the partnerships among other community organizations. One of the successes of the community-university partnership is a proposal that was funded to build a Community Health and Wellness Education Center and provide staff and program resources. Through this facility and concept of “Tallahatchie Wellness,” residents will have access to a fitness center, health promotion and education programs, group fitness, disease management and prevention programs, personal health coaching, personal training, and health and fitness assessments. Tallahatchie Wellness will also house a comprehensive youth program as part of the overall efforts to improve health and quality of life in the community. This project is an example of a successful community-university partnership.