Objective : The purpose of this research was to establish a methodology to identify and address the major barriers to health for women and girls of color.
Background: In 2001 a Community Center of Excellence in Women’s Health formed a partnership with a local college to conduct action research. Newman’s theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness was extended to the community level for health pattern recognition.
Methods A community-based collaborative action research (CBCAR) methodology was established to engage women and girls in a dialogic process to discern major barriers to health. The process enabled women to take control of formulating the research question, learn CBCAR research methodology, engage with researchers in analyzing data for major themes, dialogue with the larger community to discern the meaning of findings, and design action steps. Racism was identified as the major barrier to health. Focus groups were conducted to explore meaningful experiences of racism, health, and well-being. A member of the Black Story Teller’s Alliance assisted in weaving findings into a narrative to be performed back to the community as a validity check and a way to engage others in discerning how to re-pattern community health and eliminate racism. Results: Participants reported that health is more than the absence of disease and racism is pervasive and results in higher levels of stress, depression, and physical symptoms. They described not being understood or touched by health care providers. They want providers who look like them and who know them and understand their cultural practices.
Lessons Learned: CBCAR from an HEC praxis perspective is a powerful nursing process to engage communities in gaining insight into their situation and taking action to improve health.
Session #1203 - Health Disparities
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)