Strengthening Community Capacity in Detroit to Influence Policy Change for Health Equity

Abstract

Policy and systems change is essential to attaining public health equity, and involving communities dis-proportionately experiencing health inequities is critical. Successful policy mobilization requires specific community capacities, many of which exist in marginalized communities but can be strengthened and amplified. Yet attention to strengthening capacity of communities historically excluded from the policy process has been limited. This study applies a community capacity framework to analyze Neighborhoods Working in Partnership (NWP), a multiyear, community-based participatory initiative to strengthen skills and capacity of Detroit residents to equitably engage with diverse partners in all aspects of the policy process. Findings indicate NWP strengthened key dimensions of policy capacity, including skills, partici-pation, leadership, and community power. We discuss strengths and limitations of NWP, and implications for strengthening capacity of disenfranchised communities to engage in local policy action toward the long-term goal of community well-being and equity. " The most important thing about the training is knowing that I have power that will positively impact my neighborhood and that now I know how to use it. " (Workshop participant) Background