MAPPR Hosts Research Results Forum

On Saturday, August 15^th, MAPPR hosted a research results forum where team members and researchers presented their findings and lessons learned.  The event was held at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School, and the auditorium was filled with community leaders and other interested parties. 

Project Manager Brisa Hernandez welcomed attendees, before they were split into smaller groups to begin the interactive program.  Each group met with MAPPR researchers for 20-30 minutes, and heard about a research topic/project before having the opportunity ask questions.  After completing the circuit of presentations, everyone reconvened in the auditorium for the conclusion of the forum and to share lunch over discussions.  The entire forum was designed to encourage reflection and feedback from the attendees, including the decision to break the audience into smaller groups to hear the information being presented.

“Our audience (partners and community members) are very engaged in the work we are doing,” says Brisa Hernandez.  “We wanted to provide everybody an opportunity to reflect on the projects and voice their feedback.  Offering our research results in a small group setting encouraged conversation and great discussion." 

Research topics for the day included:

Results of Intervention:  East and South – MAPPR presented a series of wellness fairs in two areas of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and the results were quite different in these geographically varied communities

Photovoice – Students were tasked with photographing aspects of their environment that promoted healthy or unhealthy lives

Hispanos Unidos – A group of Hispanic women have been convened and continue to meet regularly to learn about different topics, and empower them to improve their health and support their families as they build a life here in Charlotte

Developing a Community Group – This current initiative involved convening groups in the community to participate in our research and develop sustainable interventions.  Strategies and best practices were discussed in this presentation

Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Lessons Learned – CBPR is a methodology that actively involves community members in the research process.  MAPPR has been a leader in CBPR and has learned many valuable lessons while undertaking this research.

Response to the forum was overwhelmingly positive, and attendees were energized by the discussions following the presentations.  To learn more about the research presented or the forum, please contact Brisa Hernandez at Brisa.Hernandez@carolinashealthcare.org.

View photos from the forum on our Flickr page!