Publication Date:
2022-07-26
Description:
© The Author(s), 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Carson, M., Doberneck, D., Hart, Z., Kelsey, H., Pierce, J., Porter, D., Richlen, M., Schandera, L., & Triezenberg, H. A strategic framework for community engagement in oceans and human health, Community Science, 1(1), (2022): e2022CSJ000001, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022csj000001.
Description:
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: (a) a framework for a range of outreach and engagement approaches; (b) the need for identifying partners, purpose, activities, and approaches; and (c) 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.
Description:
This publication was prepared by Heather Triezenberg and the team under award NA180AR4170102 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Regents of the University of Michigan, and supported by funding from the NIH (1P01ES028939-01) and the NSF (1840715) to the Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health. Funding for M. L. Richlen was provided by the NSF (OCE1840381) and NIH (1P01-ES028938-01) through the Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health. Research at the Center for Oceans and Human Health and Climate Change Interactions (OHHC2I) at the University of South Carolina is supported by the NIH Award Number P01ES028942, granted to Principal Investigators Geoffrey Scott and Paul Sandifer. M. A. Carson, Z. Hart, H. Kelsey, D. E. Porter, and L. Schandera are Community Engagement Core investigators at this Center. Funding for J. Pierce is provided by the NSF (grant number OCE-1841811) and the NIH (P01ES028949) through the Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research at the Florida Gulf Coast University.
Keywords:
harmful algal blooms
;
human health
;
pollutants
;
ocean health
Repository Name:
Woods Hole Open Access Server
Type:
Article
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