BACKGROUND: Although academic institutions are rich resources for improving public health, academic partnerships with community organizations can be challenging. We describe a successful academic-community partnership composed of the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Research Program, the Manchester (New Hampshire) Health Department, and the Greater Manchester Partners Against Lead Poisoning (GMPALP). OBJECTIVE: Partners collaborated to translate science and best practices into social action and policy change to address childhood lead poisoning. METHODS: Using the evolution of a childhood lead poisoning prevention initiative, we discuss how an academic-community relationship can be created and sustained. LESSONS LEARNED: Our experience demonstrates that broad-based partnerships are enhanced by the attributes of community-based participatory research (CBPR). We observe that engaging in community collaborations that are not driven by research eliminates potential conflicts for academic and community partners. CONCLUSION: We identify four core values, namely, (1) adaptability, (2) consistency, (3) shared authority, and (4) trust, as being constructive when working in such partnerships.
BACKGROUND: Although academic institutions are rich resources for improving public health, academic partnerships with community organizations can be challenging. We describe a successful academic-community partnership composed of the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Research Program, the Manchester (New Hampshire) Health Department, and the Greater Manchester Partners Against Lead Poisoning (GMPALP). OBJECTIVE: Partners collaborated to translate science and best practices into social action and policy change to address childhood lead poisoning. METHODS: Using the evolution of a childhood lead poisoning prevention initiative, we discuss how an academic-community relationship can be created and sustained. LESSONS LEARNED: Our experience demonstrates that broad-based partnerships are enhanced by the attributes of community-based participatory research (CBPR). We observe that engaging in community collaborations that are not driven by research eliminates potential conflicts for academic and community partners. CONCLUSION: We identify four core values, namely, (1) adaptability, (2) consistency, (3) shared authority, and (4) trust, as being constructive when working in such partnerships.
Entities:
Keywords:
Childhood lead screening; Superfund Basic Research Program; academic-community partnerships; community outreach; quality improvement
Authors: Marilyn M Metzler; Donna L Higgins; Carolyn G Beeker; Nicholas Freudenberg; Paula M Lantz; Kirsten D Senturia; Alison A Eisinger; Edna A Viruell-Fuentes; Bookda Gheisar; Ann-Gel Palermo; Donald Softley Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 9.308