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In 1994, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) initiated a program to address communication gaps between community residents, researchers and health care providers in the context of disproportionate environmental exposures. Over 13 years, together with the Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, NIEHS funded 54 environmental justice projects. Here we examine the methods used and outcomes produced based on data gathered from summaries submitted for annual grantees meetings. Data highlight how projects fulfilled program objectives of improving community awareness and capacity and the positive public health and public policy outcomes achieved. Our findings underscore the importance of community participation in developing effective, culturally sensitive interventions and emphasize the importance of systematic program planning and evaluation. (AmJ Public Health. 2009;99:S517-S525. doi:10. 2105/AJPH.2009.174557) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents an editorial responding to the article "Addressing Health Disparities Through Deliberative Methods: Citizens' Panels for Health Equity" in the current issue. She mentions the level of health disparities in the U.S., the planning for community health services, and the importance of citizen participation.