Principles of Community Engagement (Second Edition)

• Collaboratively developing an MOA can enhance communication and build
new partnerships in studies that are restricted by time and are predefined
• An MOA can serve as a valuable guidance document and useful tool
throughout a study as an agreed-upon point of reference for researchers
and community members (Davis et al , 1999; Davis et al , 2003)
References
Davis SM, Clay T, Smyth M, Gittelsohn J, Arviso V, Flint-Wagner H, et al
Pathways curriculum and family interventions to promote healthful eating
and physical activity in American Indian schoolchildren Preventive Medicine
2003;37(6 Part 2):S24-34
Davis SM, Going SB, Helitzer DL, Teufel NI, Snyder P, Gittelsohn J, et al
Pathways: a culturally appropriate obesity-prevention program for American
Indian schoolchildren American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;69(4
Suppl):796S-802S
B. How do you overcome historical exploitation?
Sally Davis, PhD, Janet Page-Reeves, PhD, Theresa Cruz, PhD
Challenge
A history of exploitation in rural communities may be manifested in a number
of ways In many such communities, structural inequality is evident in
residents’ geographic isolation, great distance from commercial centers, lack
of access to services, lack of availability of healthful foods, and poverty, as
well as frequent turnover of staff in local institutions such as schools and
health care facilities This reality presents everyday challenges to the researchers
at institutions that work in these communities For example, distance,
weather, and lack of infrastructure pose logistical challenges, and a lack of
road maintenance, limited communication capacity, and uncertain access to
food and lodging (necessities that urban residents may take for granted) are
often problems in rural areas These issues, combined with the problem of
scheduling around competing priorities in the lives of both researchers and
community members, are challenges for those living in or working with rural
communities
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