Community power & partnerships

Engaging individuals most affected by challenges ensures that communities have an equal voice in designing and implementing solutions. This builds trust between researchers and community members, fostering long-term partnerships that drive positive change. Community empowerment shifts power dynamics, allowing people to take control of their health and lives. By addressing the root causes of health disparities, this approach creates sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for all.

Advice from authors on searching for information:

Focus on academic databases for peer-reviewed articles, analyze case studies of successful models like The Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) and the Community Health Worker (CHW) Model, and review government and NGO reports on collaborative health efforts. Additionally, explore grey literature, attend relevant conferences, and engage with community organizations to gain practical insights and firsthand accounts of effective partnerships.

Organizations, repositories, websites, and other sources where you can find more information:

• Community Tool Box. A comprehensive resource for community-building and empowerment strategies, offering practical tools and guidance for promoting equity and justice at the community level.
• National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). Provides resources and advocacy for community health centers, emphasizing equitable access to healthcare and community empowerment.
• The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Focuses on improving the well-being of children and families, with resources on community empowerment and equitable development.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Supports community development projects across the United States, focusing on equitable economic development, housing, and community empowerment.
• PolicyLink. A national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity by Lifting Up What Works®. They provide resources on equitable community development and empowerment.
• The Aspen Institute. Conducts research and initiatives focused on social and economic equity, including community empowerment and inclusive policy development.
• Building Movement Project. Focuses on social change and equity through community engagement and leadership development. Their publications and resources emphasize community empowerment.
• Public Agenda. Provides research and engagement strategies to help communities address public issues and foster civic participation and empowerment.
• National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD). Offers resources and support for community dialogues and deliberative processes that promote equitable engagement and empowerment.
• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2). Offers training, resources, and best practices for public participation and community empowerment.
• Institute for Local Government (ILG). Provides resources and best practices for local governments to engage and empower communities, focusing on equity and inclusion.

Challenges you may encounter while searching for information:

Fragmented sources, limited access, variability in quality, evolving practices, context specificity, varying terminology, engagement bias, and limited documentation of grassroots efforts.

Articles, books, and other publications in translational science using the indicator:

• Speer PW, Gupta J, Haapanen K. Developing community power for health equity: A landscape analysis of current research and theory. Published online September 2020.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Communities in action: Pathways to health equity. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 2017. doi: 10.17226/24624.
• Heller JC, Little OM, Faust V, et al. Theory in action: Public health and community power building for health equity. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. 2023;29(1):33. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001681.
• Pastor M, Speer P, Gupta J, Han H, Ito J. Community power and health equity: Closing the gap between scholarship and practice. NAM Perspect. 2022:10.31478/202206c. doi: 10.31478/202206c.
• Farhang L, Morales X. Building community power to achieve health and racial equity: Principles to guide transformative partnerships with local communities. NAM Perspect. 2022:10.31478/202206d. doi: 10.31478/202206d.