Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action
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Prog Community Health Partnersh · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialBreast and cervical cancer screening among Latinas attending culturally specific educational programs.
Latinas in the United States have higher morbidity and mortality rates for breast and cervical cancers (compared with non-Latina Whites), often due to lower screening rates. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach could help to improve screening rates by creating a culturally customized educational program for Latino men and women addressing low knowledge, gender roles, and spirituality. ⋯ Esperanza y Vida has the potential to reduce health disparities in breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality rates through increasing cancer screening and thereby increasing early detection.
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Prog Community Health Partnersh · Jan 2008
Focus on the future: a community health worker research agenda by and for the field.
Research articles describing community health worker (CHW) programs often focus on program activities and short-term outcomes, failing to assess CHWs' long-term contributions to improving individual and community health. Reflecting this, CHWs are supported by short-term public and private funding. ⋯ Key research areas identified by the agenda development participants include: * CHW impact on health status; * CHW cost effectiveness; * Building CHW capacity and sustaining CHWs on the job; * Funding options; * CHWs as capacity builders; and * CHWs promoting real access to care.
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People are living longer because of advances made through biomedical research. The challenge in genetic research on indigenous peoples is that it raises a complex range of legal, ethical, social, spiritual, and political issues. ⋯ Pertinent questions that should be considered before conducting research with and amongst Native communities include:* Is there informed consent or the need for re-consent?* Is cultural knowledge respected?* Are indigenous beliefs, values, and practices taken into account?* Is there potential for group harm?* Is there accountability to community?Establishing a community Institutional Review Board may be the most effective means toward achieving equal and ethical treatment in population/group-based research. Research should be about ethically rigorous processes and effectively tailored interventions that address community needs, interests, and values.