A key function of the CTSI is promoting community-engaged health research in Central Pennsylvania. Community-engaged research is conducted by partnerships between academic researchers and community members and organizations and addresses health needs as identified jointly with these communities. Community members are involved in all phases of the research, including identifying the research questions, implementing the research, and determining how the findings are used. In this approach, the medical center is not the “expert” bringing solutions to patients – rather, it is a partner with the community in improving public health and preventing health problems before they require treatment. Among CTSIs nationally, Penn State is uniquely situated in a largely rural region, so addressing the health needs of rural communities is particularly important.
As a first step in fostering community-engaged health research, the Penn State CTSI has appointed a Community Advisory Board (CAB), co-chaired by Patricia Fonzi, MA, Vice President of Customer Services and Relationship Management at the Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania, which administers clinical and social services for low-income families throughout the Central Pennsylvania region; and Rosemary Browne, formerly with the Foundation for Enhancing Communities in Harrisburg and now Program Officer at Highmark Foundation. The 9-member CAB has met twice to date and has identified initial priority health topics for Central Pennsylvania communities: improving the health of women of reproductive age; improving oral health; caring for cognitively impaired elders; and preventing and reducing obesity. Within these topics, the CAB encourages research that focuses on rural or underserved communities, or that uses new technologies for health care delivery or improving health literacy.
The Community Engagement and Research Core (CERC) of the Penn State CTSI has funded two initial pilot projects led by Penn State faculty members. These projects will provide preliminary data and feasibility studies leading to larger-scale projects that will be externally funded.
- Mark Feinberg, PhD, and Robert Nix, PhD, from the Prevention Research Center, will lead a project on Preventing Obesity through a Developmentally-informed Approach to Self-regulation in Early Childhood, partnering with Early Head Start programs serving Lehigh, Lycoming, and York counties. The intervention focuses on promoting health eating behaviors, consistent sleep habits, and self-regulation skills in 18-36-month-old children. CAB member Anne Doerr is a co-investigator on this project.
- Janet Welsh, PhD, from the Prevention Research Center, will lead a project on Community Based Approaches to Child Obesity Prevention, using the Lifestyle Triple P parent-focused program in two school districts in rural Pennsylvania and building on established community networks and prevention teams led by educators from the Penn State Cooperative Extension Services. This one-year project will focus on improving nutrition and physical activity among overweight and obese children in grades 1 to 4.
The CERC has $70,000 available per year to support additional pilot projects addressing the priority topics. The CERC also provides technical assistance and training for Penn State investigators who are interested in forming partnerships with communities and conducting community-engaged research. Faculty members interested in consultations are encouraged to contact Carol Weisman, PhD, or Roger Anderson, PhD, CERC co-Chairs.
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
- Leslie Best, BSW, Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Rosemary Browne (co-Chair), Highmark Foundation
- Barry Denk, Center for Rural Pennsylvania
- Anne Doerr, Head Start & Early Head Start
- Patricia Fonzi, MA (co-Chair), Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania
- Berry W. Friesen, JD
- Donna Gority, Blair County Commissioner (retired)
- Wm. Russ McDaid, MHA, LeadingAge PA
- Sandra Valdez, Spanish American Civil Association (SACA)
Community Engagement and Research Core (CERC)
- Roger T. Anderson, PhD (co-Chair), Public Health Sciences
- Cynthia H. Chuang, MD, Medicine
- Mark Greenberg, PhD, Prevention Research Center
- Susan McHale, PhD, Social Science Research Institute
- Ian Paul, MD, Pediatrics
- Carol S. Weisman, PhD (co-Chair), Public Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Steven H. Zarit, PhD, Human Development and Family Studies