Strengthening Culturally Competent Health Communication

Abstract

Vulnerable refugee communities are disproportionately affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; existing longstanding health inequity in these communities is exacerbated by ineffective risk communication practices about COVID-19. Culturally and linguistically appropriate health communication following health literacy guidelines is needed to dispel cultural myths, social stigma, misinformation, and disinformation. For refugee communities, the physical, mental, and social-related consequences of displacement further complicate understanding of risk communication practices grounded in a Western cultural ethos. We present a case study of Clarkston, Georgia, the ''most diverse square mile in America,'' where half the population is foreign born and majority refugee. Supporting marginalized communities in times of risk will require a multipronged, systemic approach to health communication including: (1) creating a task force of local leaders and community members to deal with emergent issues; (2) expanding English-language education and support for refugees; (3) including refugee perspectives on risk, health, and wellness into risk communication messaging;(4) improving cultural competence and health literacy training for community leaders and healthcare providers; and (5) supporting community health workers. Finally, better prepared public health programs, including partnerships with trusted community organizations and leadership, can ensure that appropriate and supportive risk communication and health education and promotion are in place long before the next emergency.

Health Communication and Inequalities in Primary Care Access during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Ethnic Minorities in the United Kingdom: Lived Experiences and Recommendations

“…The underlining theme in this research elaborates on the importance of clear communication with ethnic minority communities which could apply to other vulnerable groups, and the need to better understand how to support them, especially in times of crisis. To achieve this, the communication pathways, cultural needs, and bridging of language barriers need to be taken into consideration [ 10 , 38 , 53 ]. A core component observed from all the communities in this study needed for strengthening related interventions would be the involvement of communities in developing communication materials and strategies.…”

“…A core component observed from all the communities in this study needed for strengthening related interventions would be the involvement of communities in developing communication materials and strategies. Working with ethnic minority groups to produce appropriate communication encourages acceptance and increases adherence, including increasing vaccine uptake [ 10 ]. Hence, communication pathways for minority groups need to include community contributions—as both providers and recipients of the information.…”

“…This would increase accessibility to accurate information, acceptance and adherence, and help combat mis-/disinformation, conspiracy theories and anti-vaccination campaigns. In addition, improving communication between healthcare providers and patients is important; this includes improving healthcare provider communication skills by providing them with training on cultural diversity sensitivity, stereotyping and prejudice, and specific skills to negotiate communication barriers [ 10 , 54 ]. Such skills will be particularly helpful when communicating with elderly ethnic minority members [ 54 ].…”

“…Factors that increase the risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, and death include age, pre-existing health conditions, ethnicity, household size, and occupation [ 6 , 7 ]. In the UK and United States (US), these biomedical risk factors and social determinants contributed to wider health disparities and were associated with inequalities that resulted in higher COVID-19 outcomes among ethnic minority populations [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Multiple factors, including socio-demographic factors, influenced individual health and gave rise to these health inequalities.…”

Dialogic Health Education to Reduce COVID-19 Disparities and Increase Health Literacy in Community and Correctional Settings: Protocol for a Two-Pronged Health Education Program

“…Reasons for these associations are multidimensional; for example, inequities related to poverty and structural racism can exacerbate comorbidities, thereby increasing risks of COVID-19 severity [ 10 - 12 ]. Moreover, a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate health communication can thwart contact with the health care system and complicate discernment of reliable health information, such as COVID-19 prevention recommendations [ 13 , 14 ].…”