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Critical elements of community engagement to address disparities and related social determinants of health: The CDC Community Approaches to Reducing STDs (CARS) initiative
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1 2021
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Source: Sex Transm Dis. 48(1):49-55
[PDF-85.76 KB]
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Alternative Title:Sex Transm Dis
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Description:Background:
Community Approaches to Reducing STDs (CARS), a unique initiative of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, promotes the use of community engagement to increase STD prevention, screening, and treatment and address locally prioritized STD-related social determinants of health within communities experiencing STD disparities, including youth; persons of color; and sexual and gender minorities. We sought to identify elements of community engagement as applied within CARS.
Methods and Materials:
Between 2011–2018, we collected and analyzed archival and in-depth interview data to identify and explore community engagement across eight CARS sites. Five to 13 interview participants (mean=7) at each site were interviewed annually. Participants included project staff and leadership; community members; and representatives from local community organizations (e.g., health departments; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ]-serving organizations; faith organizations; businesses; and HIV-service organizations) and universities. Data were analyzed using constant comparison, an approach to grounded theory development.
Results:
Twelve critical elements of community engagement emerged, including commitment to engagement; partner flexibility; talented and trusted leadership; participation of diverse sectors; establishment of vision and mission; open communication; reducing power differentials; working through conflict; identifying and leveraging resources; and building a shared history.
Conclusions:
This study expands the community engagement literature within STD prevention, screening, and treatment by elucidating some of the critical elements of the approach and provides guidance for practitioners, researchers, and their partners as they develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to reduce STD disparities.
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Pubmed ID:32826480
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC7736098
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