Marilyn G. King, DNSc¹, Carolyn M. Jenkins, MSN, DRPH², Gayenell Magwood, RN, MSN, PhD(Cand)², and Charles L. Hossler, MSN, PhD(Cand)². (1) College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, PO Box 250160, Charleston, SC 29425, (843)792-9237, kingmg@musc.edu, (2) REACH 2010, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250160, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425

For decades, public health researchers have tried to improve health outcomes through the development of community-based interventions. Frequently these projects were successful as long as grant funding was available. Lack of long-term success rates suggested a missing component. Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CB-PAR) methods attempt to address this gap through use of multiple methodological approaches for data collection and analysis to provide a rich contextual foundation for community participation, development, and empowerment. This presentation will use one CB-PAR project to explore the strengths, limitations, and future potential of multi-method research strategies for community development and evaluation. Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH 2010) is a CDC demonstration program that was develop in response to the US DHHS Healthy People 2010 goal to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health status. The REACH 2010: Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition uses a variety of approaches to reduce disparities related to diabetes, including community development, empowerment, education, health systems change, and coalition advocacy. Community assessment and evaluation data are collected through surveys, chart audits, and focus groups. Two years into the project, data from the chart audits and the People with Diabetes Survey reflect a reduction in disparities between African Americans and Caucasians. As the project continues, additional data collection will include focus groups and stakeholder surveys and interviews.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the strengths and limitations of multi-method evaluation strategies for community based participatory action research (CBPAR).
• Analyze the effectiveness of using multi-method evaluation strategies in one selected CBPAR project.
• Construct a multi-method evaluation plan for a community based participatory action research project.

Keywords: Research, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Co-Investigator, REACH 2010