The data collection/data distribution center: building a sustainable African-American church-based research network.

Background: This article describes the Carolina-Shaw Partnership for the Elimination of Health Disparities efforts to engage a diverse group of Black churches in a sustainable network.

Objectives: We sought to develop a diverse network of 25 churches to work with the Carolina-Shaw Partnership to develop sustainable health disparities research, education, and intervention initiatives.

Methods: Churches were selected based on location, pastoral buy-in, and capacity to engage.

Developing effective interuniversity partnerships and community-based research to address health disparities.

Health disparities are an enormous challenge to American society. Addressing these disparities is a priority for U.S.

Churches, academic institutions, and public health: partnerships to eliminate health disparities.

The four principles represent a framework for improving the process of establishing sustainable partnerships between research, public health, and faith-based institutions that seek to eliminate health disparities. To improve the efficacy of partnerships with churches identification of potential partner churches must be deliberate, trusting relationships must be built, divergent perspectives must be communicated and reconciled, and some tangible power should be transferred to church and community leaders where feasible. We applaud the National Institutes of Health, through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities', efforts to "promote coordination and collaboration among the agencies conducting or supporting minority health or other health disparities research.