Equitable Partnerships between Community-Based and Traditional Public Health Organizations: Recommendations from the Field

The purpose of this brief report was to qualitatively explore barriers to fostering equitable partnerships between community-based organizations (CBOs) and traditional public health (TPH) groups, and to provide intervieweedriven recommendations. We conducted semi-structured interviews from February to June 2019 with representatives from CBOs (n = 9), TPH groups (n = 12), and the Praxis Project (n = 2). We used thematic analysis with a priori categories (e.g., barriers) and themes being allowed to emerge within the categories. Interviewees discussed group tensions arising from power dynamics, initial distrust, and inherent differences. Also, the TPH-dominated funding landscape reportedly caused issues for CBOs, such as mission distortion, inequitable funding distribution, and lack of long-term funding. Interviewees suggested several potential solutions such as personal relationship building, addressing power dynamics, and inclusive funding agenda setting processes. Those working in public health can follow the practical guidance presented in this study and others to foster equitable partnerships with communities and the CBOs that represent them.