Community ACTION Boards: An Innovative Model for Effective Community-Academic Research Partnerships

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) requires equitable partnerships between community stakeholders and academics. Traditionally, researchers relied on community advisory boards, but these boards often play a reactive role limited to a project-by-project basis. The East and Central Harlem Health Outcomes (ECHHO) Community Action Board (CAB), however, is an effective, proactive group.

Objectives: The ECHHO board sought to identify key strategies and tools used to build and sustain the model, and to disseminate lessons learned to other community-academic partnerships.

Methods: Current and former board members were interviewed and a wide range of related documents was reviewed.

Lessons Learned: The board became effective when it prioritized action and relationship-building, across seven key domains: Shared priorities, diversity, participation, transparency, mutual respect and recognition, and personal connections. The model is depicted graphically.

Conclusion: Community advisory boards may benefit from reduced emphasis on protocols and procedures, and increased attention to building relationships between academics and community members.