Table 1 Challenges and recommendations to addressing environmental racism in environmental health research, as discussed by workshop participants

Structural changes to funding mechanisms

The community’s needs are not considered until after a research project has been designed and often funded. This results in missed opportunities for gathering data that can be used to create tangible, positive change for affected communities.

Funding mechanisms should require that communities should be part of the discussion early in the planning phase (i.e., during development) of the research project, and their input should be integrated over the course of conducting the project.

Structural changes to funding mechanisms

Community partners are sometimes not adequately compensated for their contributions to projects.

Federal agencies should ensure that there is equitable distribution of funds between academia and community-based organizations in the application review process. In addition, funding should also go to diverse institutions and organizations that represent affected communities, such as historically black colleges and universities.

Structural changes to funding mechanisms

Representatives from the communities where research is being conducted do not have a say in the process of deciding which projects will receive funding.

Community-based organizations, environmental justice advocates, and investigators who are experienced in community-based participatory research should be part of review committees.

Communication, engagement, and research translation

Research results are often communicated in academic publications for scientific audiences.

Reports should be provided back to communities in plain language, allowing the people who have a stake in and who benefit from the research to understand the findings.

Communication, engagement, and research translation

Translating research into health-protective interventions can be a long, challenging process.

Results should be provided in a way that is accessible to multiple groups, not just the scientific community, and easy to translate into action steps health-protective interventions, including but not limited to policies, organizing, and educational activities.

Training

Traditional academic education often does not emphasize the value of using research to answer the community’s questions.

Early-stage investigators and students should receive training opportunities working with community-based organizations.

New technologies and data

The long-term health impacts of environmental racism can be difficult to track.

Community-based organizations, federal agencies, and academics should work together to document environmental justice trends and protect public health.