Pacific Islander Health Research Network

Although data specific to Pacific Islanders are scarce, the research that exists shows striking health disparities and inequalities. Stakeholders have identified the lack of a network that facilitates connections/partnerships with and disseminates resources/research specific to Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) as a barrier to implementing culturally relevant and effective solutions to improve patient and community health and well-being. To address these needs, the project team will facilitate a transdisciplinary network of stakeholders who use and participate in health research with the long-term goal of improving and supporting the health and well-being of NHPIs and advancing health equity. The objective of the Pacific Islander Health Research Network (PIHRN) is to increase the dissemination of NHPI-appropriate tools and best practices in conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR), community-engaged research (CEnR), and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) methods to researchers and research stakeholders. Activities for this objective include developing an online, transdisciplinary portal to share tools, best practices, and lessons learned in conducting CBPR/CEnR/PCOR with NHPIs, including online trainings. Also, the project team will increase the dissemination of NHPI-relevant evidence-based practices and research findings to NHPI-serving providers, community health centers, public health programs, community organizations, and other stakeholders by managing a listserv, developing and sustaining an online repository/bibliography of peer-reviewed research related to NHPIs, and creating an online transdisciplinary portal for dissemination of research and tools. In addition, the project team will increase the number of transdisciplinary partnerships conducting CBPR/CEnR/PCOR with NHPI by facilitating connections, dialogues, and stakeholder input on NHPI research priorities. Activities for this objective include facilitating an assessment of stakeholders’ research priorities and engagement needs and hosting health research network meetings and informational sessions at state, regional, and national NHPI conferences and meetings. The short- and mid-term outcomes are to establish an engaged transdisciplinary network of stakeholders collaborating to improve the health and well-being of NHPIs and advance health equity through increased dissemination of NHPI-appropriate CBPR/CEnR/PCOR best practices to researchers and research partners; increase dissemination of NHPI-relevant evidence-based practices and research findings to providers, patients, and caregivers; increase connections, dialogues, and stakeholder input on NHPI research priorities. The long-term outcomes the project team expects to see is improvement in health and health equity of NHPI patients and communities because of an increase in CBPR/CEnR/PCOR and an increase in use of the knowledge gained from that research in clinical practice, community and patient health education, and health policies. These outcomes are significant because of the lack of research with NHPIs and the health disparities faced by these communities. Stakeholders include patients and caregivers; academic researchers and educators; health and human services providers; community members; faith organizations; nonprofit organizations; research institutions; policy and government agencies; and funding organizations. NHPIs will be engaged in every aspect of the project and will engage in activities focused on increasing dissemination of research and best practices specific to NHPIs.