Applying Indigenous Community-Based Participatory Research Principles to Partnership Development in Health Disparities Research

Abstract

This case study of community and university research partnerships utilizes previously developed principles for conducting research in the context of Native American communities to consider how partners understand and apply the principles in developing community-based participatory research partnerships to reduce health disparities. The 7 partnership projects are coordinated through a National Institutes of Health-funded center and involve a variety of tribal members, including both health care professionals and lay persons and native and nonnative university researchers. This article provides detailed examples of how these principles are applied to the projects and discusses the overarching and interrelated emergent themes of sharing power and building trust.

Healing of the Canoe: Preliminary Results of a Culturally Tailored Intervention to Prevent Substance Abuse and Promote Tribal Identity for Native Youth in Two Pacific Northwest Tribes​​

“…Community-based and Tribal Participatory Research (CBPR/TPR) approaches have begun to address this research gap, with AI/AN communities participating as collaborators and co-researchers in the identification of issues of concern, strengths to address these issues, and desired outcomes; the analysis and interpretation of data; and the effective dissemination of findings (Ball & Janyst, 2008; Baydala et al, 2009; Burhansstipanov, Christopher, & Schumacher, 2005; Christopher et al, 2008; 2011; Cochran et al, 2008; Fisher & Ball, 2003; 2005; Holkup, Tripp-Reimer, Salois, & Weinert, 2004; LaVeaux & Christopher, 2009; Michell, 2009; Thomas, Rosa, Forcehimes, & Donovan, 2011). Community-driven, culturally grounded prevention interventions, derived from the beliefs and values of a given tibe or culture, appear to be more acceptable and potentially more effective for AI/AN youth than EBPs developed with non-Native populations (Gone & Calf Looking, 2011; Hawkins et al, 2004; Lane & Simons, 2011; Lowe et al, 2012; Moran & Reaman, 2002; Nebelkopf et al, 2011; Okamoto, Helm, Pel, McClain, Hill, & Hayashida, 2014).…”

American Indians’ Experiences of Life-Threatening Illness and End of Life

“…6 This community-centered approach engaged both partners in every research step and was conducive to collecting and analyzing data about the experiences of life-threatening illnesses and EOL care. The research team members included health care related professionals and academic associates from the tribe.…”

A Case Study Exploring Research Communication and Engagement in a Rural Community Experiencing an Environmental Disaster

“…A preference for communication through local means and persons known to them also supports the traits commonly associated with rural dwellers. Partnerships with community “insiders” and reciprocal values of respect, trust, integrity, and authenticity have been identified as crucial characteristics of both the community partner (liaison/gatekeeper) and the academic partner (researchers) (Christopher, et al, 2011) when conducting research in rural communities. Awareness of community member distrust, skepticism, stigma and other impacts of research in a rural community contribute to a research team’s sensitivity and approach in rural places.…”