Barbara Israel awarded 2024 ASPPH Practice Excellence Award

Barbara Israel

February 27, 2024

Barbara Israel, professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and prominent expert in community-based participatory research (CBPR), has been awarded the 2024 ASPPH Practice Excellence Award. The annual award from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health recognizes faculty who have devoted their careers to advancing and integrating scholarly public health practice within research, teaching, and service.

“I am honored and humbled by the receipt of this award, which is only made possible by the community and academic partners I have been fortunate to work with” said Israel. “I chose a career in public health due to the possibility it provided for integrating theory and research to inform practice aimed at promoting health equity and social change.”

A leader in academic public health practice, Israel has set the standard for how public health research can bridge gaps with community involvement. Her co-authored pivotal 1998 article on CBPR principles has been identified among the most referred-to sources on health equity, and she continues to guide academics, practitioners, and community advocates as the lead editor of Methods in Community-Based Participatory Research for Health.

"Through her seminal contributions to advance community-based participatory research as a model for equitable community engagement and collaboration, Barbara has made an enormous impact on public health practice,” says F. DuBois Bowman, dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health. "Her unwavering commitment to CBPR and evidence-based interventions has made a real and lasting difference in the health of communities in Michigan and beyond."

Among the host of projects she leads, Israel is the principal investigator of the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center. Established in 1995, the Detroit URC is widely known for its approach to fostering and supporting CBPR partnerships addressing health inequities in Detroit. She also developed with colleagues the national capacity-building program, CBPR Partnership Academy. In addition, she serves as the multiple-principal investigator of Michigan Community Engagement Alliance: Communities Conquering COVID.

In recognition of her contributions to public health practice, Israel was the recipient of the Michigan Public Health Excellence in Practice award in 2023.

The ASPPH Practice Excellence Award is a testament to Israel's effective approach and influence on public health as a scholar, educator and a practitioner. Her dedication not only raises the bar for public health work but demonstrates a passion for community well-being and impactful change.

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