Developing Engagement Principles for Climate and Health Research: An Example from a Community-Informed Research...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Community-Engaged Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Co-learning and stakeholder engagement are vital for community-engaged research.
• Low-income communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color disproportionately bear the impacts of environmental hazards and climate change.
• Collaborative learning with these communities is essential for developing equitable solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present theoretical and practical support for co-learning principles in climate adaptation and health equity.
• To outline the development process, including literature review and stakeholder engagement.
• To provide principles for non-extractive community health partnerships that maximize benefits.

Main Methods:

• A multiuniversity research team initiated a principle-based approach in 2022.
• Field research is being conducted in international locations facing climate hazards and health disparities.
• The approach integrates co-learning and stakeholder engagement from the project's inception.

Main Results:

• Development of a set of co-learning principles for community-engaged research.
• Demonstration of a process for creating these principles through literature review and stakeholder input.
• Application of principles in ongoing field research in diverse global settings.

Conclusions:

• Enthusiasm from advisory board and funder regarding the developed principles.
• Potential for Western researchers to partner with Indigenous and traditional communities as knowledge-holders.
• Anticipated benefits for communities, including enhanced capacity for health, equity, and well-being initiatives.