Exploring the Potential of Communication Infrastructure Theory for Informing Efforts to Reduce Health Disparities

Abstract

Communication infrastructure theory (CIT) offers an ecological approach to studying ways to reduce health disparities. The theory suggests that individuals' connections to a multi‐level storytelling system are enabled or constrained by the communication environment (a.k.a. communication action context). This article is a culmination of research to date that explores the potential of CIT to inform efforts directed at the reduction of health disparities. These studies have focused on geographic communities and/or ethnic groups known to experience health disparities. An argument is made for expanding the scope of this line of research, which to date has primarily focused on the relationship between integrated connections to the neighborhood storytelling network and health outcomes.

Evaluating Health Storytelling in Spanish-Language Television from a Communication Infrastructure Theory Perspective

“…In addition, research has demonstrated that integrated connections to health storytelling networks consisting of media, organizations, and interpersonal channels can lead to positive health outcomes (Wilkin, 2013). Thus, the main focus of this study was to determine if Spanish-language television provides information that connects viewers to a health storytelling network.…”

“…Recent research also demonstrates that individuals' connections to a dynamic neighborhood storytelling network are often related to health outcomes (Wilkin, 2013). For example, integrated connections to a neighborhood storytelling network are positively related to exercising (Wilkin, Katz, Ball-Rokeach, & Hether, 2015), performing emergency preparedness behaviors (Kim & Kang, 2010), seeking health information (Kim & Kang, 2006), and knowing more about preventing and detecting breast cancer and diabetes (Kim, Moran, Wilkin, & Ball-Rokeach, 2011).…”

Communication Resources for Obesity Prevention Among African American and Latino Residents in an Urban Neighborhood

“…Prior CIT research related to health had concentrated primarily on the neighborhood storytelling network, measured as the extent to which residents have integrated connections to an interpersonal network of neighbors, community organizations, and local=ethnic media (Wilkin, 2013). However, the communication infrastructure includes more potential health storytellers than those incorporated within the storytelling network (Wilkin & Ball-Rokeach, 2006, 2011.…”

“…While much of the CIT research has concentrated on the STN, other ''storytellers'' can influence obesity-prevention behaviors (Wilkin, 2013). Researchers have begun engaging CIT to examine family communication as a unique storyteller within the larger storytelling system, which may also provide opportunities to engage with the STN.…”

Interventions to Address Reproductive Health Disparities among African-American Women in a Small Urban Community: the Communicative Construction of a “Field of Health Action”

“…Research also suggests that CIT is helpful for identifying where and how researchers and health professionals might intervene to reach populations labeled "hard to reach" and reduce health disparities (Matsaganis, Golden, & Scott, 2014;Wilkin, 2013). In an intervention project that sought to lower the number of residents who relied on 911 and emergency departments for health care and to increase utilization of a local, federally funded health-care center, Wilkin, Stringer, O'Quin, Montgomery, and Hunt (2011) described strategies for engaging residents that were informed by an analysis of the local CAC's makeup.…”