A Strategic Framework for Community Engagement in Oceans and Human Health.

Autor: Carson MA; Environmental Health Sciences Department, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA., Doberneck DM; University Outreach and Engagement, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA., Hart Z; Environmental Health Sciences Department, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA., Kelsey H; University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, Maryland, USA., Pierce JY; University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA., Porter DE; Environmental Health Sciences Department, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA., Richlen ML; Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA., Schandera L; Environmental Health Sciences Department, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA., Triezenberg HA; Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Community science [Community Sci] 2022 Jun; Vol. 1 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Apr 14.
DOI: 10.1029/2022csj000001
Abstrakt: Over the past two decades, scientific research on the connections between the health and resilience of marine ecosystems, and human health, well-being, and community prosperity has expanded and evolved into a distinct "metadiscipline" known as Oceans and Human Health (OHH), recognized by the scientific community as well as policy makers. OHH goals are diverse, and seek to improve public health outcomes, promote sustainable use of aquatic systems and resources, and strengthen community resilience. OHH research has historically included some level of community outreach and partner involvement; however, the increasing disruption of aquatic environments and urgency of public health impacts calls for a more systematic approach to effectively identify and engage with community partners to achieve project goals and outcomes. Herein, we present a strategic framework developed collaboratively by community engagement personnel from the four recently established U.S. Centers for Oceans and Human Health (COHH). This framework supports researchers in defining levels of community engagement and in aligning partners, purpose, activities, and approaches intentionally in their community engagement efforts. Specifically, we describe: (1) a framework for a range of outreach and engagement approaches; (2) the need for identifying partners, purpose, activities, and approaches; and (3) the importance of making intentional alignment among them. Misalignment across these dimensions may lead to wasting time or resources, eroding public trust, or failing to achieve intended outcomes. We illustrate the framework with examples from current COHH case studies, and conclude with future directions for strategic community engagement in OHH and other environmental health contexts.
Competing Interests: 6 Conflict of Interest The authors declare no real or perceived conflicts of interest relevant to this study. None of the authors have other affiliations that may be perceived as having a conflict of interest with respect to the results of this paper.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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