Establishing a Framework for Sustainable Community Action Research

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Engagement
• Health Equity

Background:

• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is vital for addressing health inequities in underserved areas.
• Existing CBPR models can be enhanced by institutionalizing academic partnerships.
• Insights from Watts, Los Angeles, inform a new framework for community-academia collaboration.

Discussion:

• The proposed framework shifts academic focus from individual researchers to the institution for sustainable partnerships.
• This institutional approach aims to leverage university resources to address root causes of community inequities.
• The Community Action Research Engagement (CARE) Framework offers tenets for catalyzing trust, knowledge, solutions, and mentorship.

Key Insights:

• Institutionalizing CBPR strengthens long-term community-academia partnerships.
• The CARE Framework provides actionable guidance for universities engaging with communities.
• Focusing on institutional commitment fosters deeper trust and more impactful collaborations.

Outlook:

• This model can guide universities in developing more effective and sustainable community-engaged research initiatives.
• Expanding CBPR through institutional frameworks can lead to greater health equity and community well-being.
• The CARE Framework offers a scalable model for diverse community-university partnerships.