Community-Engaged Research Informing Upstream Determinants of Cancer Prevention for People with Criminal Legal System Involvement.

Abstract

Background: Cancer prevention and early detection efforts traditionally focus on knowledge about and access to screening services; however, upstream approaches such as health care policy interventions are equally important. Our research team collaborated with women with criminal legal system involvement (CLSI) to prioritize upstream determinants of cervical cancer for future intervention.

Objectives: To convene stakeholder groups of women with CLSI involvement, public health researchers, and health care providers to identify upstream determinants of cervical cancer and to create policy priorities for prevention and early detection.

Methods: We combined storytelling methods and community-engaged research to enhance the collaborative relationship of a community advisory board composed of our stakeholder group. In this article, we describe the processes and effects of our work.

Lessons learned: The combined method of storytelling and community-engaged research methods allowed us to create meaningful narratives that enriched our outreach efforts but hindered full collaborative leadership of the work. All processes were affected by COVID-19 restrictions and by the preference of women with CLSI to participate independently. As the work evolved, the reach of our community advisory board extended beyond its original mandate to broaden the strategic vision of our research team.

Conclusions: Partnering with community members through community-engaged research and storytelling informed not just the research at hand, but also moved the work of a team beyond their funded initiatives.