Development of strategies for community engaged research dissemination by basic scientists: a case study.

As depicted in the translational research continuum, dissemination of research findings to past research participants and the community-at-large is integral to improving health outcomes. Blocks in translation exist in which poor dissemination is a major contributor. Limited progress has been made on how to engage basic scientists at T1 and T2 phases to meaningfully disseminate study findings to community. Our objective is to report on 4 cases of community engaged research dissemination activities among 3 basic scientists (ie, a cancer biologist, a biochemist, and a molecular biologist.): a townhall, a radio listening session, a community newsletter, and a Facebook Live segment. The Meharry Community Engagement Core dissemination team designed these activities using community informed processes. To plan and conduct these activities, a basic scientist is partnered with a community engaged researcher and a community-based organization to create a dissemination product which can be understood and potentially used by past research participants and the community-at-large. We share reflections from basic scientists, community organizations, and event participants. Finally, we provide competencies, informed by basic scientists, needed to engage in effective, community-engaged research dissemination. The activities, reflections, and competencies can be used by basic scientists and academic institutions as models to guide their community engaged research dissemination activities. This work supports the goal to bridge the translational research gap.

Reducing HPV Associated Cancers and Disparities: Engaging African American Men to Develop a Culturally-Appropriate Program that Addresses their Needs.

BACKGROUND: The Healthy Men, Health Communities program aims to improve preventive behaviors among African American men to reduce HPV-related cancer disparities. PURPOSE: We describe the development of an educational intervention using cultural-targeting strategies (i.e., linguistics, peripherals, evidence, socio-culture, and constituent-involving). METHODS: After building capacity of community-based organization (CBO) leaders as research team members, we conducted 3 focus groups, 30 surveys, and a community review and program evaluation with African American men. RESULTS: Focus group themes were: 1) The Known and Unknown of Cancer, HPV, and the vaccine; (2) Personal experiences with cancer were commonplace; (3) Barriers to Engaging HPV Cancer Preventive Behaviors; (4) Multi-Modal Strategies are needed to improve preventive behaviors; and (5) Actual versus Preferred Sources of Information. Survey data indicated men desired information on penile (52%) and oral cancers (48%). The preferred education format was a summit with speakers on various topics (96%). Post-summit evaluation indicated majority of males intended to get screened (73%), eat healthier (77%), and exercise more (64%). About 40% reported getting themselves, children, or grandchildren the HPV vaccine. DISCUSSION: Our program demonstrated acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy. This work warrants further study as a potential program to improve HPV preventive behaviors among African American men.