Why Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)?

CBPR in public health is a collaborative approach to research that involves, workers, contractors, community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research. Partners contribute their strengths and share responsibilities to build understanding of a topic and the social and cultural dynamics of the community. They combine the knowledge gained with action to improve the health and well-being of community members. This approach can help communities with a variety of English and literacy levels to identify hazards and health problems*. CBPR has been effective in a variety of settings, for example:

• Baltimore: Cardiovascular disease prevention
• Detroit: Maternal and Child Health
• Boston: Healthy Start Initiative
• New York: Immunization and primary health care
• North Central New Mexico: Prevention of substance abuse.

 

 

* *Israel BA. Community-Based Participatory Research: Principles, Rationale and Policy Recommendations. In O’Fallon LR, Tyson FL, Dearry A eds. Successful Models of Community-Based Participatory Research Meeting hosted by the NIEHS March 29–31, 2000 — Washington, DC Final Report.

   O’Fallon LR, Dearry A. Community-Based Participatory Research as a Tool to Advance Environmental Health Sciences. Environ Health Perspect 110(suppl 2): 155–159 (2002).

   Minkler M, Wallerstein N (2003). Introduction to community based participatory research, pp. 3–26 in Minkler M, Wallerstein N, eds. Community-Based Participatory Research for Health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.