A Case Study in Community-Based Participatory Practice: Common Ground Health Clinic’s Women’s Wellness Initiative

Kate Hendricks, Meshawn Tarver, Rachael Reeves 
(University of Alabama, USA)

Abstract: This process evaluation highlights efforts to create a sustainable program at a community clinic in New Orleans, LA from July-August, 2012 and provides a success exemplar in community-based, participatory practice. The Common Ground Health Clinic in New Orleans, LA is a nonprofit community primary care clinic that serves uninsured and underinsured citizens in one of the poorest areas in Louisiana. The surrounding neighborhood of Algiers is 75% African-American, with most residents making less than $30,000 each year. Chronic health conditions like diabetes and obesity create medical risk and need for local residents.
    Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model as a planning framework, health promoters successfully started a women’s wellness seminar series that met weekly to cover a variety of health topics, and built in leadership development and sustainability practices that has allowed for participant-led program continuation. The programming was explicitly holistic and a main focus of effort was supportive community-building; the social network makes up a huge part of social identity and determines the level of support participants receive as they endeavor to make behavioral change. Community-building programming included: member-led discussions, potlucks, and interactive content overview that de-centered the instructor/group leader. A review of the program design and implementation process for the Common Ground Women’s Wellness Seminars offers insights into how participatory programming can be successful in community clinic settings.

Key words: CBPR, women’s health, community health