Capacity Building Together: Shifting Roles for Research and Implementation in Health Resilience Among American...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity Research
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Community engagement is crucial for advancing health equity.
• Existing literature lacks detailed studies on partner interactions that build trust and reciprocity.
• Inequalities require continuous identification and erosion for a justice-oriented approach to health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the lasting impacts of participation in a community-engaged research project.
• To explore the processes that build trust and reciprocity among project partners.
• To understand the effects on individuals involved in Indigenous health research.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an "Iterative Poly-knowledge Evaluation Cycle approach" for post-project self-assessment.
• Focused on a case study of the "Health Resilience among American Indians in Arizona" project.
• Collected and analyzed data on healthcare provider knowledge and American Indian resilience.

Main Results:

• Highlighted the value of flexible roles and organic change within research projects.
• Emphasized the importance of focusing on strengths rather than deficits.
• Identified lasting positive changes in project team members at all levels.

Conclusions:

• Community-engaged research, particularly with Indigenous communities, fosters multisectoral partnerships for health.
• Such projects create lasting impacts on participants, strengthening their capacity to challenge health inequalities.
• The study contributes to understanding the long-term benefits of collaborative, justice-oriented health research.