Chase Reece, BSHP '24

A significant proportion of the work Archway does is based on CBPR, or community based participatory research. Because CBPR is the building block of their work, it is important for me to have a working knowledge of its principles and what it entails. Today I spent time researching CBPR and looking into some examples of how it has been used. Overall, I found that CBPR is very important for reducing health disparities. CBPR ensures that the community is actively involved in the research process. Because of their involvement, the community is often more receptive to the work and its findings, and they have a greater stake in it due to their participation. Furthermore, CBPR makes sure the needs of the community are actually being met. Instead of outside researchers simply trying to work on a specific topic, CBPR empowers and equips community members to address the needs that are relevant to them. By focusing on locally identified challenges and utilizing equitable partnerships, more sustainable solutions are able to be created. This collaborative approach is also helpful for working on issues related to social determinants of health or social inequalities because it can help bridge social and cultural barriers.