Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109234

Cizely Kurian, BS¹, Mariana Chilton, PhD, MPH², Heidi Worley, MA³, and Natalie S. Sondheimer, MSS³. (1) School of Public Health, Drexel University, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 267-847-1875, ck88@drexel.edu, (2) Department of Community Health and Prevention, Drexel University School of Public Health, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (3) Research, Education and Advocacy, Maternity Care Coalition, 2000 Hamilton Street, Suite 205, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Background: Despite the efforts of welfare reform and programs of federal assistance, the health of the most vulnerable women and children continues to worsen. The majority of research correlating health and poverty uses quantitative assessments and makes judgments of the current state of the poor. This study aims to work with the poor to use their own experiences to demand and design change. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of low-income women with welfare programs and the impact of these programs on their families' health. Design: An innovative qualitative participatory approach to research called Photovoice was used to document the social and health needs of participants (a convenience sample of 8-10 women) and their families, investigate the relationship between poverty and health, and illustrate the “human experience” associated with public policies and welfare reform. Participants took photographs that illustrated the impact of poverty on their well-being. During individual interviews and a focus group the participants assisted in a three stage needs assessment process of selecting, contextualizing, and codifying themes or issues generated through the pictures. Conclusions: Photovoice is a way for women (including those with difficulties in reading/writing and those with the least access to resources) to effectively communicate their life experiences, expertise, and knowledge. It is a valuable method for collecting information to enhance our understanding of the human costs of public policies and to advocate for changes in local programs that may carry over to national policies accordingly.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session participants will be able to
• describe an innovative approach to research called Photovoice;
• discuss the impact of welfare programs on the lives of low-income women;
• identify ways in which participatory research can impact policy

Keywords: Photovoice, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.