Dissemination Protocol for Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships with Marshallese Pacific Islanders in Arkansas

Abstract

Background: The Pacific Islander population in the United States (U.S.) has rapidly increased since 2000, especially in southern states like Arkansas where the largest population of Marshallese in the continental U.S. reside. The Marshallese community faces significant health disparities with high prevalence of diabetes, obesity, obesity-related cancers, and other chronic conditions.

Objectives: Researchers have utilized a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach that fully engages Marshallese stakeholders in research to address the community's health disparities. Sharing research findings with participants and stakeholders is a core principle of CBPR.

Methods: This manuscript describes the methods that the academic-community research partnership used to develop a dissemination protocol for sharing results from multiple pilot studies and randomized control trials. Examples and details of specific activities that resulted from putting the dissemination plan in action are presented.

Conclusions: Implementation of CBPR principles ensures that researchers fully engage stakeholders in all aspects of research, including the dissemination of study results. This manuscript describes the dissemination protocol for an academic- community research partnership with the Marshallese community and provides a practical example for how to implement successful community-engaged dissemination.