Community Engagement and Health Equity

Abstract

The Health Equity Alliance of Tallahassee (HEAT) is a diverse team of academic and community members interested in examining existing health disparities and in improving the health of those experiencing social or economic disadvantage. In 2010, HEAT designed a Heart Health study to examine the causes of high blood pressure and heart disease among African Americans living in Tallahassee, Florida. The study aimed to understand how the social environment, neighborhood conditions, social relationships, experience of stress, and the stress of racism impacts health. This paper discusses the community engagement plan used to involve Tallahassee residents in a dialogue and conversation about the HEAT Heart Health (HHH) Study. Using the example of HHH, we argue for a community engagement approach that involves community residents in all processes of a research study, including the reporting of findings.