The RAISE Coalition: Lessons Learned From a Multisector Coalition Used to Implement High-impact Population-Wide Strategies in Cleveland, Ohio

Background: Recent public health initiatives include policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies with the aim of improving community health. These high-impact, population-wide strategies provide opportunities for multisector coalitions to engage and inform the implementation process to ultimately reach underrepresented communities, like Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to discuss (1) the objectives of “Reaching Asian Americans through Innovative and Supportive Engagement,” (RAISE) a multisector coalition (2) describe the process in which the coalition was engaged in, and (3) share lessons learned that can inform future partnerships with various sectors that reach AAPI communities that are highly diverse and in geographically dispersed areas.

Methods: Asian Services In Action, a community-based organization in Cleveland, Ohio recruited 10 member organizations to participate in a multisector coalition to identify, plan and implement a PSE strategy reaching AAPIs.

Lessons Learned: Key lessons learned include: the need to navigate competing priorities for member organizations; the value in creating a space where racial/ethnic diversity and cultural adaption are discussed; and the importance of creating a shared learning community for coalition members.

Conclusions: As the public health landscape shifts toward effectively improving community health through PSE strategies, it is vital that multisector coalitions are included to potentially have the greatest impact in health overall and to increase community engagement and buy-in.