Uplifted contextual and experiential evidence as imperative for equitable and informed decision-making.

Prevention Institute worked with CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention on Uplifting Contextual and Experiential Evidence (UCEE) to illustrate the value and importance of contextual and experiential evidence alongside best available research evidence. Contextual experience describes measurable factors in the community that may impact the success of a prevention strategy, and experiential evidence refers to the collective expertise and lived experience of those who have practiced or lived in a particular community.

PI conducted a landscape scan and interviewed subject matter experts to understand how grant-making bodies have worked with community groups and residents to create, uplift, and integrate contextual and experiential evidence as effective forms of evidence in decision-making. We presented three webinars to inform the project and share findings with key public health stakeholders. The webinars also provided an opportunity to engage with community and practitioners on their experiences in applying this approach in their own work and to broaden their perspectives regarding evidence-based decision-making. In October, PI released the Uplifting Contextual and Experiential Evidence: Promising Practices and Recommendations report, with approaches, examples, and recommendations to integrate all three forms of evidence into decision-making, contributing to a growing call in the public health ecosystem to integrate community voice and perspective into decision-making.

This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement No. NU38OT000305 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Image by Nye' Lyn Tho.