What is Participatory Health Research (PHR)?

The goal of PHR is to maximize the participation of those whose life or work is the subject of the research in all stages of the research process. Such participation is the core, defining principle of PHR, setting this type of research apart from other approaches in the health field.  Research is not done “on” people as passive subjects providing “data” but “with” them to provide relevant information for improving their lives. The entire research process is viewed as a partnership between stakeholders which may include academic researchers; professionals in the fields of health care, education and social welfare; members of civil society; policy makers and others.[International Collaboration for Participatory Health Research, Position Paper No. 1 (2013)]
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Mission

Addressing health inequalities is an important goal of health systems worldwide. Participatory Health Research (PHR) has become increasingly important as a means for finding solutions in communities where the occurrence and severity of health problems is greatest.

The International Collaboration for Participatory Health Research (ICPHR) was established in 2009 to strengthen the role of PHR in intervention design and decision-making on health issues. The ICPHR is open to stakeholders from all countries interested in promoting the dissemination and further development of participatory health research approaches embedded in common values and principles. The work of the ICPHR is focused on bringing together systematically the knowledge and experience of PHR in different countries for the purpose of strengthening PHR regarding issues of quality, credibility, and impact on policy and practice.

Activities of ICPHR include:
  • Developing guidelines for conducting and evaluating PHR
  • Describing the unique impact of PHR as compared to other research approaches
  • Describing which forms of theory and evidence are produced by this approach as compared to other forms of health research
  • Finding a means for conducting systematic reviews of the PHR literature in order to contribute to the body of international knowledge on improving community health
  • Creating a database of resources on the theory, practice, and outcomes of PHR
Recent News
07/19/2023
Registration now open for ICPHR AWM 2024

04/12/2023
Registration now open for ICPHR AWM 2023

03/13/2023
Save the date! ICPHR Annual Working Meeting 2023

10/16/2022
Updates to the Ethics in Participatory Health Research Working Group

09/28/2022
Call for papers: "Social and Structural Determinants of Health in Migrants and Ethnic Minorities—Conceptual, Methodological, and Empirical Advancement in the Times of COVID-19"

09/09/2022
UPDATED: AWM 2022 with new virtual, hybrid, and in-person sessions!

09/08/2022
New Position Paper Posted! PHR: A Guide to Ethical Principles & Practice (2E)
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06/29/2022
Register for the 2022 ICPHR Annual Working Meeting!

12/15/2021
Webinar Tomorrow: The Story of Participatory Research- History and Future

10/28/2021
Position Paper 4: Funding Participatory Health Research 

Recent News
04/12/2023
Registration now open for ICPHR AWM 2023

03/13/2023
Save the date! ICPHR Annual Working Meeting 2023

10/16/2022
Updates to the Ethics in Participatory Health Research Working Group

09/28/2022
Call for papers: "Social and Structural Determinants of Health in Migrants and Ethnic Minorities—Conceptual, Methodological, and Empirical Advancement in the Times of COVID-19"

09/09/2022
UPDATED: AWM 2022 with new virtual, hybrid, and in-person sessions!

09/08/2022
New Position Paper Posted! PHR: A Guide to Ethical Principles & Practice (2E)
​
06/29/2022
Register for the 2022 ICPHR Annual Working Meeting!

12/15/2021
Webinar Tomorrow: The Story of Participatory Research- History and Future

10/28/2021
Position Paper 4: Funding Participatory Health Research 
Michael T. Wright
Katholische Hochschule für Sozialwesen Berlin, Germany
Ezequiel Provedor
Physician, Nicaragua
Maria Elisabeth Klebe de Silva, Marcia Regina Da Silva & Fatima Ferretti Tombini
Brazil