The BMHC Health Advancement Initiative, piloted with the City of Manor, completed a city-wide survey that is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)–approved study that meets the federal standards for ethical and scientifically valid research established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018).
Community-led, IRB-approved health surveys are extremely uncommon—less than 5% of all public-health surveys nationwide are designed and managed by community-based organizations rather than academic or clinical institutions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024; Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], 2024).
That number is low not because communities lack ability, but because few community-based organizations have developed the institutional infrastructure, credibility, and recognition from funders and oversight bodies needed to lead formal IRB-level health research (Collins et al., 2023). Traditionally, universities and hospitals design and control IRB-approved studies, handling study design, data collection, privacy, and compliance—while community organizations often serve supporting roles (Polanyi, 2003; Minkler et al., 2005).
The 2025 Manor Health Advancement Initiative - Survey Project, led by the Black Men's Health Clinic in collaboration with Austin Community College, Harvard Law, and Bristol Myers Squibb "broke the mold," to become one of the few nonprofit-led, IRB-approved community health studies in the nation—ensuring Manor residents’ voices are heard with accuracy, dignity, and respect.
The Manor Health Advancement Initiative - Survey Project achieved a rare benchmark in ethical, community-driven research and data collection to advance local understanding of health needs and set a new precedent for equity-centered engagement for Central Texas.
#YourHealthMatters #HealthcareForAll #CareYouCanTrust
Click Here to Read the BMHC Health Advancement Initiative - Comprehensive Report for City of Manor
Click Here to Watch the Manor Health Survey Recognition Event - Recap Video