Engaging the Community in Research with the HealthStreet Model: National and International Perspectives

We report on a model of community engagement known as HealthStreet, which began as community outreach from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., USA, in 1989, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). HealthStreet, which developed more expansive services in 2008, includes a physical site (building) which serves as a base of operation in the community from which community health workers (CHWs) can engage community members to capture real-time data on health needs, health and neighborhood concerns, and attitudes towards research through a health intake form. Based on this information, they refer community members to needed services and offer opportunities to participate in research. In November 2011, HealthStreet was opened in Gainesville (Florida, USA) as part of the community engagement efforts of the University of Florida. The HealthStreet CHWs in St. Louis and Gainesville have made contact with over 7,100 community members (83% from minorities) from January 2009 to July 2012. Recruitment and enrollment yields have been high. Participants report positive attitudes towards research and have similar health concerns and conditions across locations. HealthStreet, and other efforts that utilize CHWs to reach the community, may increase the diversity of research participants, help meet community needs, and reduce disparities in care, potentially improving public health. The international reach of the HealthStreet model is evident in the opening of HealthStreet Sydney in Australia.