Why Engage Communities in Biomedical Research?

Abstract

While community engagement in biomedical research is widely lauded, and many reasons to engage communities have been adduced, it is unclear whether all these reasons are equally important, and, if not, which are most important. Here, I argue that, outside of rare circumstances, community engagement should not be understood as seeking permission from communities. Rather, it should be understood as adding value to research. I also argue that while community engagement may add value in a variety of ways—including making research more respectful, more empowering, and more likely to successfully translate into health gains—it is the health gains that should be its primary focus.