Using "Policy Briefs" to Present Scientific Results of CBPR: Farmworkers in North Carolina

Abstract

Background: Using scientific results to inform policy that improves health and well-being of vulnerable community members is essential to community-based participatory research (CBPR) Objectives: We describe “policy briefs,” a mechanism developed to apply the results of CBPR projects with migrant and seasonal farmworkers to policy changes. Lessons Learned: Policy briefs are two-page summaries of published research that address a single policy issue using language and graphics to make the science accessible to diverse audiences. Policy brief topics are selected by community advocates, based on collaborative research, and address a specific policy or regulation. Development is an iterative process of discussion with community representatives. Briefs have been used to provide information to advocates, state and national policy makers, and the public. Conclusions: Disseminating CBPR results to address policy is needed. Collaborating with community partners to produce policy briefs ensures that information about concerns and struggles reflects their priorities.

Engaging Youth Advocates in Community-Based Participatory Research on Child Farmworker Health in North Carolina

“…This paper describes the CBPR process of engaging youth in an advisory and co-investigator capacity in the early phases of a multi-year research study examining the health and safety of hired Latino child farmworkers in NC. In 2018–2020, the Levante advisory board will continue to evaluate study data, learn about research through workshops and hands-on activities, participate in data collection, provide feedback on policy briefs 25 and tour WFSM to learn about medical careers. The final year of the study will focus on developing arts-and theater-based educational resources to disseminate study results.…”

“…These approaches are oriented toward social change and emphasize collaboration in a peer-to-peer learning environment; they lead youth to critically assess issues in their community, and include pedagogical tools such as theater, games, and other expressive forms to foster collective action. 20, 21 Over the past 20 years, SAF staff members have been collaborators serving as co-investigators, interns, sub-grantees, and advisory board members on a variety of WFSM CBPR studies related to pesticide exposure and other health issues among adult farmworkers and their families, 22, 23 health communication, 24, 25 and farmworker housing. 26–28 The Hired Child Farmworker Study builds on this existing institutional relationship, as SAF’s Executive Director and Levante director are co-investigators.…”

Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina: Study design and participant baseline characteristics

“…In addition, the results of this study will be made available to policy makers to ensure that they are aware of the potential negative outcomes of paid child farm labor. 55…”

Use and effectiveness of policy briefs as a knowledge transfer tool: a scoping review

“…A great deal of research evidence has been developed but not enough of it is being disseminated in effective ways (Oliver and Boaz, 2019). Offering a summary of research results in an accessible format could facilitate policy discussion and ultimately improve the use of research and help policymakers with their decisions (Arcury et al, 2017;Cairney and Kwiatkowski, 2017). In this age of information overload, when too much information is provided, one can have trouble discerning what is most important and make a decision.…”