Sharing Research Findings Through Interactive Community Forums: Examples from Community Action Against Asthma

Ellen D. S. Lopez, PhD, Community Health Scholars Program, The University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 109 Observatory, SPH II, Room M3531, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, 734-615-7764, edslopez@umich.edu

Reporting back research findings is a key principle of community-based participatory research (CBPR) that is increasingly becoming a requirement of funding agencies and an expectation of study participants and their communities. Community Action Against Asthma (CAAA), a CBPR community-academic partnership focused on identifying and reducing environmental triggers of childhood asthma in Detroit, recognizes the ethical obligation to share research findings. Here, we describe how CAAA planned and conducted two interactive forums: one forum provided the means for participants to assess the trustworthiness of findings; and the other forum brought community leaders and residents together to hear and translate findings into strategies for taking social action. We will also share lessons we have learned about planning and conducting these forum and the implications of forums for CBPR endeavors.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1. Recognize the importance of reporting back findings to research participants and the community
2. Describe how CAAA planned and conducted interactive community forums
3. Understand the benefits and challenges of planning and conducting forums for CBPR endeavors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation

The W.K. Kellogg Community Health Scholars Program: Community-Based Research Projects (Restricted to Scholars)

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA