Consensus Organizing and Community-Based Participatory Research to Address Social-Structural Disparities and Promote Health Equity

Abstract

This case study illustrates the process of integrating community-based participatory research and consensus organizing in an effort to deconstruct social-structural risk factors and markers of health disparities, and build positive relationships between members of the criminal justice system and the community. Community residents, law enforcement, and other cross-sector partners engaged in an extensive planning initiative to address crime and social-structural risk factors in a majority African American community. Community-based participatory research and consensus organizing can be integrated as an effective approach to engaging and empowering communities to take action to dismantle social-structural disparities and promote a culture of health and well-being.