A Three-Decade Evolution to Transdisciplinary Research: Community Health Research in California-Mexico Border Communities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Institute for Behavioral and Community Health (IBACH) is a transdisciplinary organization with a team-oriented approach to the translation of research to practice and policy within the context of behavioral medicine. OBJECTIVES: This paper tracks the growth of IBACH in the context of evolving, multi-university transdisciplinary research efforts from a behavioral medicine research focus to community approaches to disease prevention and control, ultimately specializing in Latino health research and practice. We describe how this growth was informed by our partnerships with community members and organizations, and training a diverse array of students and young professionals. METHODS: Since 1982, IBACH's research has evolved to address a greater breadth of factors associated with health and well-being. This was driven by our strong community focus and emphasis on collaborations, the diversity of our investigative teams, and our emphasis on training. Although behavioral science still forms the core of IBACH's scientific orientation, research efforts extend beyond those traditionally examined. CONCLUSIONS: IBACH's "team science" successes have been fueled by a specific population emphasis, making IBACH one of the nation's leaders in Latino health behavior research.

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