Evidence Library

Abstract:

Aim: To examine the long-term impact of community-based participatory research (CBPR) on communities via a case study of a partnership involving the Indiana University School of Nursing and the Healthy Cities Committee in New Castle, USA.

Method: A review of the partnership's archived documents, interviews with academics, community partners and policy-makers and focus groups with community members.

Findings/recommendations: The original study involved a survey of the local community. Community members helped shape the questionnaire, collected data and interpreted the findings. The almost 50% response rate was attributed to the work of the community partners in gaining advance publicity for the study.

A community meeting was held to look at the findings. This allowed the community to compare itself (unfavourably) to national norms and become informed about their level of health. Other sessions involved members of the City council, the newspaper editor, fire Chief and other key stakeholders which helped move the community into the action phase.

In the 10 years since this research a number of heath initiatives got underway including a ban on indoor smoking, developing plans for walking trails, funding and building a new playground. Community members took a leading role in all of these efforts.

The CBPR therefore played an important part in catalysing long-term change as a strong and dynamic community partner proved willing to continue to work for change long after the initial project had ended.

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Related entry: none currently available

Categories: public health
Designing research
Undertaking research
Analysing and interpreting
Writing up and disseminating
impact on research
impact of public involvement
journal article
Recruitment
Implementation and change

Date Entered: 2009/01/28

Date Edited: 2012/11/21