UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Schuylkill County's rural health challenges took center stage at the recent 'Schuylkill County Health Collaborative Community-Driven Research Day,' hosted by Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), in collaboration with Penn State Schuylkill campus and Primary Health Network (PHN). Held at the end of May at Penn State Schuylkill, a diverse coalition of community leaders came together with university faculty and staff to tackle the pressing rural health issues and disparities facing the region. Attendees included 65 community partners representing 47 organizations and 33 Penn State University researchers, faculty, and staff representing four campuses.

With data revealing that Schuylkill County falls below state and national averages in both health outcomes and factors, the event aimed to facilitate meaningful dialogue and catalyze research-driven solutions. Fostering collaboration between academic researchers and local stakeholders, the initiative seeks to empower Schuylkill County residents and pave the way to a healthier future. 

The art of collaboration

Featuring Penn State School of Music, the gathering welcomed attendees with an auditory presentation to illustrate the power of working in unison. Recordings of soloists demonstrated how each instrumentalist reverberates a unique sound. Audio of group arrangements revealed how musical ensembles come together and embody the ultimate expression of collaboration resulting in a comprehensive performance. The analogy challenged attendees to see themselves as ensemble members and to consider that their most impactful solutions for improving health outcomes in the Schuylkill region result from coordinating together for the best output.

Jennifer Kraschnewski, director of CTSI, and Cory Scherer, interim chancellor and director of academic affairs at Penn State Schuylkill, kicked off discussions for the day. Their opening remarks underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing the county's pressing health disparities. Kraschnewski reflected, “Infusing our efforts with music and art is such a powerful way of reaching our communities,” as live visual note-taking took place. A visual artist was onsite, illustrating the key messages and moments in real-time, which resulted in a colorful, graphic mural capturing the synergy of ideas flowing throughout the event. 

All for one, one for all

George Garrow, chief executive officer of PHN, provided attendees with a comprehensive health overview of Schuylkill County, offering an uplifting message amidst the challenges. Garrow rallied the crowd with a call for, "One community putting on the Schuylkill jersey."

Danny George, associate professor of humanities at Penn State College of Medicine, and Jennifer Barborak, executive director of Buhl Regional Health Foundation, provided the keynote presentation. Their discussion on "The Benefits of Community-Engaged Research During an Era of Rising Despair" shed light on the underlying factors contributing to societal despair, the rise in despair-related mortality and emphasized the importance of community involvement in research endeavors.

Breakout sessions provided participants with the opportunity to delve deeper into key topics such as public health infrastructure, workforce development, school mental health coordination, mental health, substance use and addiction, health literacy and healthy aging. Facilitators guided fruitful discussions, identifying challenges and opportunities for researchers and community leaders to partner.

Wrapping up in the afternoon, organizers offered attendees a closing exercise in collaboration and asked them to formulate personalized titles characterizing the day. Some of the resulting names included Schuylkill Rocks, Not the End but the Beginning, Schuylkill Lives, One Community, Make Your Health a Habit, Moving Forward and Better Lives Always Start Today.

Prioritizing community needs

Throughout the event, organizers emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between research and community needs.

“In my role as community engagement coordinator for Penn State CTSI, I strive to connect with communities, especially our rural communities, to lift up the needs and issues facing these communities and share the community’s perspectives with researchers, so that research that is planned, funded and conducted at Penn State is impactful and ultimately helps improves the health of our community,” said  Miriam Miller, outlining the significance of community-engaged research in driving meaningful impact and improving health outcomes. 

Paving the way

Through the formation of task forces, CTSI has formed task forces to facilitate continued conversation and actionable plans to move the group’s collective ideas forward. Established based on the information and many perspectives shared during event as high priorities, task force areas of focus and themes include:

1. Substance Use and Addiction
2. Public Health Infrastructure
3. Health Literacy
4. Workforce Development
5. Healthy Aging
6. Mental Health and School Mental Health Coordination

Working with Penn State CTSI

Community engagement is an ongoing, evolving process of multidirectional communication with and for a community to help solve problems and address the concerns that matter to them. The process should be durable and equitable to influence programs and practices for the community’s betterment.

Community-engaged research meets the community’s needs by directly engaging those who are vested in improving health and provides opportunities to connect and build trust between communities and academic researchers. 

Penn State CTSI's Community-Engaged Research Core works to: 

• Connect communities and research teams in partnerships to translate research into policy and practice
• Ensure communities participate as full partners in the research process, are consulted for their research priorities, are respected, are valued, and are rewarded for collaborative activities
• Foster successful university/community partnerships
• Nurture opportunities for scientific discoveries
• Develop community health coalitions

Researchers interested in more information or help in setting up a research project in the community, and community members interested in information on working with Penn State CTSI can email engage@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.