The Integration of Community Voice in the Implementation of a Mobile Health Program

**Published in Progress in Community Health Partnerships (PCHP) 17.1. All rights reserved.** ABSTRACT Background: Health care access is vital to advancing health equity. The purpose of this paper was to use a community-based participatory research approach (CBPA) to engage underserved communities in the development of a new mobile health clinic (MHC) program and to discuss the lessons learned from the conversations. Community conversations helped identify barriers to access to health care, community strengths, and health concerns. They also helped the mobile health clinic leaders develop programming. Method: CBPA guided five community conversations conducted (n=51 participants) from 2018-2019. Participants provided input on their personal experiences with a) existing facilitators and barriers to health, b) priority health issues and needs, and c) recommendations for MHC program development. Results: Barriers to health care access were identified, as were many community strengths. Recommendations directly informed MHC program development and implementation, including availability of services at no cost, mammogram referrals, mental health screening, eye exams, and nutrition counseling. Conclusions: This project highlights the importance of collaboration between academic partners and communities to inform health care programs and the implementation of a mobile health clinic based on community voice and input.