A community partnered-participatory research approach to reduce cancer disparities in South Los Angeles.

BACKGROUND: Community-academic partnerships may offer opportunities to improve population health in communities that suffer from cancer-related health disparities.

OBJECTIVES: This project describes a community partnered effort to promote cancer research and reduce local cancer-related disparities.

METHODS: We used a community-partnered participatory research (CPPR) model and modified Delphi method approach to bring together community and academic stakeholders from South Los Angeles around reducing cancer disparities.

RESULTS: The 36-member Community-Academic Council consisted of cancer survivors, academics, and representatives of local community-based organizations and churches. Forty-nine unique cancer-related community priorities were collaboratively used to develop shared products. Early CPPR products included convening of a community conference, a collaboratively developed survey instrument, and new partnerships resulting in externally funded projects.

CONCLUSIONS: Our approach demonstrates the feasibility of the use of a replicable model of community and academic engagement that has resulted in products developed through collaborative efforts.