A community-based participatory research approach to the exposure science research will authentically incorporate the diversity of community experiences and ways of knowing. Asking questions that fail to address community concerns and using methods that dismiss public participation can perpetuate the environmental health literacy gap and separation between scientists and members of the public, especially those who are disenfranchised, underserved and /or underrepresented.
The PI has been working with the selected communities for over five years and based on the established partnerships and trust, we are implementing a community science approach where stakeholders are involved in the scientific process from early on. With an understanding of the community strengths, we are working diligently to mobilize knowledge and resources inherent in the community.