TY - JOUR
T1 - A Community-Engaged Approach to Environmental Health Research
T2 - Process and Lessons Learned
AU - Baldwin, Julie A.
AU - Trotter, Robert T.
AU - Remiker, Mark
AU - Loren Buck, C.
AU - Aguirre, Amanda
AU - Milner, Trudie
AU - Torres, Emma
AU - von Hippel, Frank A.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the collaboration and continu-ing participation of the Regional Center for Border Health, Inc., Campesinos Sin Fronteras, and the Yuma Regional Medical Center. Their counsel, assistance in data collection, and advocacy have been invaluable for the project. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Francisco Villa, professor of biological sciences at Northern Arizona University–Yuma, and his students Ashley Menard, Kevin Hurtado, Adam Carrizales, and Melissa Cabrera Bernal for their assistance with study coordination; Joseph Espinoza for his help with medical record audits; and Danielle Dillion, Jonathan Credo, and Amy Chandos for laboratory analyses. Supported by The Flinn Foundation; grant numbers 2102 and 2187. 1802 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85004-1506; Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) Northern Arizona University; Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative (NIH U54MD012388).
Funding Information:
Following multiple discussions, a literature review, and an interdisciplinary process of matching local needs with NAU resources, a joint community/university project was constructed to examine exposures to environmental contaminants in the region. The NAU investigators and the leadership from community partners participated in a series of consultations about the purpose, design, and subsequent research protocols for this study. These consultations, conducted over approximately 18 months, were supported by formal community-initiated meetings through a research education grant from the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre, and through resources from RCBH as well as pro bono resources from both NAU Yuma’s branch campus and other community partners. This resulted in a community-endorsed primary aim focused on analysis of endocrine function and environmental contaminant concentrations in patients with documented thyroid problems which may be due, in part, to exposure to environmental contaminants.
Funding Information:
Supported by The Flinn Foundation; grant numbers 2102
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Johns Hopkins University Press.
PY - 2021/12/1
Y1 - 2021/12/1
N2 - Background: This study used a community-engaged approach to examine associations between environmental contaminants and health outcomes among residents of Yuma, Arizona. Our team conducted a process evaluation to assess scientific rigor and adherence to community engagement principles. Objective: Our evaluation focused on four dimensions of community-based participatory research: 1) context, 2) group dynamics, 3) intervention and research, and 4) outcomes. Methods: Interviews were conducted with key informants from community partner organizations. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate community partners’ experiences with our collaborative process. Lessons Learned: Community partners reported collaborat-ing to establish research goals, recruit participants, collect data, plan analyses, and formulate dissemination strategies. Training needs, roles, and expectations of community partners varied based on available resources, prior research experience, and perceived research challenges. Conclusions: Leveraging community-engaged principles for studies of environmental contamination can expedite recruit-ment efforts and stimulate action to improve health outcomes.
AB - Background: This study used a community-engaged approach to examine associations between environmental contaminants and health outcomes among residents of Yuma, Arizona. Our team conducted a process evaluation to assess scientific rigor and adherence to community engagement principles. Objective: Our evaluation focused on four dimensions of community-based participatory research: 1) context, 2) group dynamics, 3) intervention and research, and 4) outcomes. Methods: Interviews were conducted with key informants from community partner organizations. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate community partners’ experiences with our collaborative process. Lessons Learned: Community partners reported collaborat-ing to establish research goals, recruit participants, collect data, plan analyses, and formulate dissemination strategies. Training needs, roles, and expectations of community partners varied based on available resources, prior research experience, and perceived research challenges. Conclusions: Leveraging community-engaged principles for studies of environmental contamination can expedite recruit-ment efforts and stimulate action to improve health outcomes.
KW - Agriculture
KW - Community health partnerships
KW - Environmental illness
KW - Health disparities
KW - Southwestern United States
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123036956&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85123036956&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1353/cpr.2021.0043
DO - 10.1353/cpr.2021.0043
M3 - Article
C2 - 34975035
AN - SCOPUS:85123036956
SN - 1557-0541
VL - 15
SP - 533
EP - 540
JO - Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action
JF - Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action
IS - 4
ER -