A community partnered-participatory research approach to reduce cancer disparities in South Los Angeles.

Journal: Progress In Community Health Partnerships : Research, Education, And Action
Published:
Abstract

Background: Community-academic partnerships may offer opportunities to improve population health in communities that suffer from cancer-related health disparities.

Objective: This project describes a community partnered effort to promote cancer research and reduce local cancer-related disparities.

Methods: We used a community-partnered participatory research (CPPR) model and modified Delphi method approach to bring together community and academic stakeholders from South Los Angeles around reducing cancer disparities.

Results: The 36-member Community-Academic Council consisted of cancer survivors, academics, and representatives of local community-based organizations and churches. Forty-nine unique cancer-related community priorities were collaboratively used to develop shared products. Early CPPR products included convening of a community conference, a collaboratively developed survey instrument, and new partnerships resulting in externally funded projects.

Conclusions: Our approach demonstrates the feasibility of the use of a replicable model of community and academic engagement that has resulted in products developed through collaborative efforts.

Authors
Roberto Vargas, Annette Maxwell, Aziza Lucas Wright, Moshen Bazargan, Carolyn Barlett, Felica Jones, Anthony Brown, Nell Forge, James Smith, Jay Vadgamma, Loretta Jones