HEALTH IS STRENGTH - A RESEARCH COLLABORATION INVOLVING KOREAN AMERICANS IN ALAMEDA COUNTY

Introduction: This is a preliminary report from a research collaborati on between Asian Health Services (community health center); Koreans in Alameda County, California; and the University of California at Berke ley School of Public Health. This five-year Centers for Disease Contro l and Prevention project supports a collaborative community interventi on to improve breast and cervical cancer screening behavior among Kore an women. Methods: A Korean Community Advisory Board and Korean-Americ an staff were recruited, and community sensitive research (CSR) and pa rticipatory action research (PAR) principles were applied: (1) buildin g community infrastructure for sustainable action, (2) cultural approp riateness, (3) assuring responsiveness to community needs, and (4) a p revention focus that would assist health care providers. We conducted a population-based telephone survey on 676 Korean adults (272 men and 404 women). Results: The collaborative process yielded (1) a high resp onse rate (79%), (2) baseline health information on Korean Americans, (3) broadening of the original research topic, (4) survey responses th at will guide intervention design, (5) culturally competent strategies , and (6) expanded Korean-American Community capacity for local action . Conclusions: Research collaboration between universities, community- based organizations, and ethnic communities can yield high-quality res earch. CSR and PAR approaches help break through cultural barriers in otherwise ''hard to reach'' API subpopulations. Determinants of succes s include sharing common goals; trust, honesty, and integrity; shared decision making; mutual respect of each partner's expertise; cultural sensitivity and cultural competence; flexibility, good communication, and mutual learning; and continuity of partners. Actively engaging mem bers of the study population in the research process builds community capacity, thus laying the foundation for future projects that improve health status.