Connect: Cultivating Academic-Community Partnerships to Address Our Communities' Complex Needs During Public Health...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Engagement
• Health Disparities

Background:

• COVID-19 disproportionately impacted Black and Latino communities.
• Understanding community perceptions and attitudes is crucial for effective health interventions.
• Focus on four heavily impacted New Jersey counties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate engagement strategies to enhance testing access.
• Establish a successful academic/community partnership during a public health emergency.
• Utilize principles of community-engaged research and existing relationships.

Main Methods:

• Case study approach illustrating multiple levels of engagement.
• Alignment of expectations and development of cooperation.
• Community-based and healthcare organizations central to engagement and recruitment.

Main Results:

• Successful relationship building through information sharing and feedback.
• Diverse dissemination strategies enhanced engagement.
• Intergenerational interaction promoted sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated a model for academic/community partnerships in public health emergencies.
• Highlighted the importance of sustainable relationships.
• Emphasized the central role of community organizations in research and public health initiatives.