From Engagement to Action: Assessing Community Readiness for Disparities Mobilization

Authors

Linda S. Sprague Martinez, Tufts UniversityFollow
Elmer Freeman, Northeastern UniversityFollow
Flavia C. Perea, Tufts UniversityFollow

Keywords

Community development; Community readiness; Disparities mobilization; Massachusetts; Partnership; Public health

Disciplines

Civic and Community Engagement | Immune System Diseases | Public Health | Virus Diseases

Abstract

In an effort to engage communities across the state of Massachusetts in tackling health disparities, Critical MASS (CM), in partnership with local researchers piloted a readiness assessment to identify community assets, perceptions of disparities, and interest in partnership. The research process was used to facilitate the development of partnerships between outside organizers, researchers, and community stakeholders. Partnership outcomes included a disparities conference aimed at bringing attention to concerns in the community, and a grant submission aimed at addressing community identified disparities. Despite the successes the partnership faced challenges. Logistics and limited resources hindered partner efforts to sustain the relationship. This paper describes the readiness assessment methodology, results, community-level outcomes, and lessons learned.

Recommended Citation

Sprague Martinez, Linda S.; Freeman, Elmer; and Perea, Flavia C. (2012) "From Engagement to Action: Assessing Community Readiness for Disparities Mobilization," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 5: Iss. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol5/iss2/9