The National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) sponsored a conference to examine the science of Community Engaged Research at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center on August 22-23, 2013. Partners for a Healthier Community Executive Director David S. Weed, Psy.D. participated at the invitation of the Community Health Innovations and Research Program's (CHIRP) Deputy Director Dr. Charles Deutsch who oversees the advisory committee at Harvard University's School of Public Health on which Dr. Weed serves. The conference reviewed the current status of Translational Research across the county and outlined future directions for the field of community engaged research. There were also a number of presentations that described evidence of improved health outcomes in cities the the Bronx, NY, and Chicago, IL, that have resulted from researched-based interventions. Helping communities understand the research that underlies various interventions is a major goal of Translational Science. For more information about the conference, contact Dr. Weed at 508-324-2411.

(Top row, left) Deputy Director of the Harvard Catalyst Community Health Innovations and Research Program (HC-CHIRP) Dr. Charles Deutsch underscores the role of government in making effective policy changes such as are being made in Chicago through its Healthy Chicago program. (Top row, center and right) Dr. Weed attends the conference that took place at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center. (Middle row) Cook County Public Health Director Bechara Choucair describes some of the aspects of the Healthy Chicago program. (Bottom row) A conference participant talks with Louisa Stark, right, about Community Wellness Coaches, an innovative program for supporting women in communities with health disparities in making healthy lifestyle changes during the poster session.