Research for the Community
Research
Lynn Institute conducts research to determine assets in a community, identify unmet needs, and interview constituents. Based on the research, Lynn Institute may publish or share specific community health issues and when possible and appropriate, convene and lead select collaboratives to implement and sustain “Lynn Healthy Community Plans.”
To date, Lynn Institute has conducted two in-depth, qualitative and quantitative studies of specific zip code areas in Oklahoma City, examining the unique assets and challenges facing each community. PDF versions of the complete studies are available for your convenience.
The Lynn Process
The mission of the Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is to measurably improve the health of the communities it serves. We fulfill our mission by adhering to a structured four-point plan to build a healthy community. What makes the Lynn Process unique?
The Lynn Process offers objectivity and sustainability, with a track record of impeccable research. From the outset, there is a defined geographic area or specific population for goal measurement. The business and private sector offers the leadership, but operates out of a partnership with all parties.
Lynn Sustainable Healthy Community Initiatives: 4 Step Process
1
Identify At-Risk Population
Specific geographic areas with chronic health issues, chronic diseases by age or ethnicity: populations disproportionately impacted by preventable diseases; and economic conditions.
2
Develop Lynn Lifestyle Summary.
Define and understand the community.
Community assets and history inventoried.
Quantitative research: demographics, environmental, physical, and geographic information, social welfare, and disease specifics. unique to a population.
Qualitative research: interviews with influential leaders general public, focus groups clarification by experts of quantitative data.
3
Compile, Assess, and Share Findings
Develop aligned understanding of facts.
Present White Paper.
Community & Professional Review.
Aligned Understanding of the Situation.
4
Collaborate & Facilitate
Recruit & Assemble Collaborative: All Sectors Represented - Public at Large, Influence
Leaders, Education, City-County Health, Elected Officials, Founders, Business Owners, etc.
Collaborative Sets Measurable Goals and Report Outcomes Annually.
Sustain Collaborative to Oversee Lynn Healthy Initiative for 10 Years.
Research Findings
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In March 2014, the Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research, Inc., undertook a comprehensive assessment of Northeast Oklahoma City as the first step of a multi-year program to measurably improve the health of the community.
Northeast Oklahoma City is defined as zip codes 73105, 73111 and 73117. These zip codes comprise a 20-square mile area and include some 22,000 of Northeast Oklahoma City’s 33,000 residents. The report summarizes both assets and challenges of the subject area, as reflected in available statistical data and interviews with community leaders and residents.
The Lynn Lifestyle Summary—Northeast Oklahoma City is the most comprehensive overview of Northeast Oklahoma City ever developed or published.
The process of determining the quantitative description of Northeast Oklahoma City involved detailed steps based on a literature search and subsequent tracking and review of over 1,000 references. Data directed by the literature search was gathered at zip code level from publications and accessible public domain databases. Original source data was developed if no public database was available. Sources from large databases were used as often as possible and include 856 data elements in addition to numerous rankings. In total, more than 4,000 data pieces were collected at the zip code, city, county, state and/or national level.
The Lynn Healthy Community Team obtained input from 56 influence leaders through structured interviews, 12 focus groups, and 61 informal interviews. Combined, this data identifies or explains critical issues, which may be either barriers or opportunities to improve the conditions within Northeast Oklahoma City. Questions for each qualitative research segment were based upon specific goals and objectives as determined by the vision and mission of the Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research, Inc. Structured Interviews included, but were not limited to, area professionals, church leaders, health care experts, and city officials while focus groups and informal interviews were comprised of Northeast Oklahoma City residents. Each focus group lasted one hour and was conducted at a variety of Northeast locations. The Lynn Healthy Community Team served as facilitators and encouraged each focus group member to participate.
Click to view the Lynn Lifestyle Summary – Northeast Oklahoma City 2016
The Lynn Institute is pleased introduce our 2022 Community Research Study – Northeast Oklahoma City. This is an update to our Lynn Lifestyle Summary – Northeast Oklahoma City which was published in 2016. Please click on the link below to review the new information. Many of you have been part of the groundbreaking work that has taken place over the past six years to address poverty, food and health access, and economic and community improvement. Much has been achieved and there is still much to be done. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Eastside friends, neighbors and committed partners.
To help address the health challenges of African American males in northeast Oklahoma City, the Lynn Institute conducted a project from 2022-2024 to develop a community capacity building effort for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The project established a network of trusted messengers—both organizational and individual—to form communication channels to incorporate and promote the uptake of health messaging and programs developed for Black males that will ultimately result in positive health changes.
As the primary facilitator of the Healthy Hopeful Community Collaborative (HHCC), an organization of community leaders working to create positive change within the state, Lynn Institute leadership and staff understand how to successfully create capacity building efforts that are constructed not for, but with, community stakeholders who are active program architects, participants, and change agents.
To develop this active and dynamic community peer-focused network, the Lynn Institute project team performed the following activities:
Utilized the results of a comprehensive zip code analysis of health outcomes within the three identified zip codes populated primarily by African American residents in northeast Oklahoma City that historically reflect significantly poor health outcomes
Built and expanded stakeholder partnerships between community organizations and Black male community stakeholders to disseminate relevant, meaningful health communications derived from patient-centered outcomes research/comparative clinical effectiveness research (PCOR/CER)
Identified evidence-based strategies and the most effective approaches in community capacity-building efforts specific to engaging Black males in health messaging
As a result of this project, the Lynn Institute developed a tool kit for other organizations and communities to utilize for implementing a similar program in their community.
Click to view the Lynn Institute PCORI Men's Health Tool Kit
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Crossings Mission & Outreach Ministries Zip Code Study 2016 purposed to determine the current populations and assets available within Crossings service areas, seeking to ultimately determine ways Crossings can provide not only more health services but also how to impact the overall wellbeing of the lives of people in their communities.
The Lynn Institute conducted comprehensive reviews of history and assets, quantitative data, and original qualitative research of interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
Four primary market zip codes, 73114, 73120, 73132, and 73162, were studied between April-October 2016.
The qualitative data collected provides insight into the needs and wants of the current target population as well as potential clients of the Crossings Clinic and Community Center. The study included a combination of maximum variation and expert purposive sampling.
Quantitative statistical data from government sources such as the Oklahoma City County Health Department, Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – to provide the base of the quantitative demographic data and a consistent, comparable reference set. Data directed by the literature search was gathered at zip code level from publications and accessible public domain databases. Original source data was developed if no public database was available. Sources from large databases were used as often as possible.
Click to view Crossings Mission and Outreach Ministries study
Collaborative Research
As part of a collaborative effort with INTEGRIS Health, Mercy, OU Health, and SSM Health, the Lynn Institute helped moderate the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). These organizations make up a collaboration titled Central Oklahoma Health Impact Team (COHIT). This assessment evaluated the health needs of Oklahoma County, in partnership with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department and was facilitated by OU Hudson College of Public Health. The goal of the assessment was to identify the most pertinent health needs and guide hospital systems in developing strategies for improvement in the years ahead. While conducting this report, the focus was placed on five social determinants of health. These priority areas include access to healthcare, housing, employment, nutritious food, and education. Building on the foundation of the 2022 CHNA, COHIT has continued to explore and assess community needs and progress made in these areas.