Photovoice is a powerful participatory action research method where individuals are given an opportunity to take photograghs, discuss them collectively, and use them to create opportunities for personal and/or community change. In the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, floods devastated many small, rural communities in eastern North Carolina. After the initial federal, state and local outpouring of support, there remain individuals who have been virtually unaffected by relief efforts. These "survivors" often remain nameless and voiceless in their suffering. This presentation will describe results of an effort to use photovoice to give "voice" to these individuals. In collaboration with researchers from UNC Chapel Hill School of Public Health, one photovoice team was recruited from each of two particularly hard-hit rural counties; individuals were trained in the photovoice method; were asked to capture images of their lived experiences more than one year after the flood; and met to derive collective impressions and plans for sharing their results. We will describe how these teams used their photograghs to advocate for positive social and public health changes. We will also share barriers and limitations, as well as lessons learned, about the process of using photovoice to advocate for social change following a natural disaster.
Learning Objectives: Participants who attend this session will be able to: 1. Describe the photovoice method and how it can be used in public health planning, education and advocacy 2. Describe three benefits of using photovoice methods for addressing the public health needs of individuals/communities following a natural disaster 3. Discuss how this particular public health application of photovoice method serves as an example for addressing the needs of other "voice-less" subgroups
Keywords: Advocacy, Photovoice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.