Transformative community health initiatives are redefining how health equity is achieved in Kansas City’s urban core. Jannette Berkley-Patton, PhD, Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and Director of the Community Health Research Group and UMKC Health Equity Institute, has spent nearly two decades addressing health disparities. Her dedication to underserved populations has led the Community Health Research Group to create groundbreaking collaborations and impactful community-based research programs with community and health partners in socially vulnerable KC communities.
What sets the Community Health Research Group’s work apart is an approach that involves community stakeholders, especially faith leaders, in every phase of the research process. “This ensures that the research is designed for the church context, acceptable, and feasible,” Dr. Berkley-Patton explained. Their involvement has been critical in shaping messages and strategies that resonate with their communities.
The collaboration with faith communities tackles a critical and longstanding challenge: mistrust of the health system among African Americans. “We know historically, African Americans have had an extreme amount of mistrust of the health system,” explained Dr. Berkley-Patton. Faith leaders work with the Community Health Research Group to tailor health promotion messages to enhance acceptability and trust and explain the science clearly manner to empower informed health decisions. This approach has played a pivotal role in increasing willingness to receive health screenings, vaccinations, and educational counseling in faith-based settings.
Dr. Berkley-Patton’s work exemplifies the power of community-driven health initiatives. “It really does increase the level of awareness about the health conditions that disproportionately impact our African American community, and the willingness to implement and sustain health promotion programs to address health disparities,” she said. By equipping community leaders with the tools and resources to advocate for health, her efforts have increased access to health services for tens of thousands of Kansas Citians and has empowered many to become champions for health equity.