Project SMART: an interdisciplinary collaboration to design and test a mentored health promotion program for school...

Interdisciplinary collaborations and effective community partnerships can be important in advancing public health initiatives in economically disadvantaged communities. This community-based participatory research pilot study determined the feasibility of designing and implementing Project SMART, a mentored after-school health promotion program for school children in an underserved neighborhood. Interdisciplinary faculty and their students collaborated with community stakeholders to provide a program tailored to address community identified health risks. Preassessment and postassessment of study participants revealed a significant increase in nutrition knowledge among the children and a significant increase in the general health subscale of Short-Form Health Survey for the mentors. Content analysis of interviews conducted with the mentors revealed four themes on the meaning of the experience for them: being present; having purpose; raising personal health consciousness; and transferring life experiences. University faculty and students strengthened their relationships in the community and their ability to conduct community-based participatory research. The program was a catalyst for other important ongoing changes in the community. The Project SMART program is an initiative that may be applied successfully in other communities where it is important to address environmental health disparities and promote health.