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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Sara A. Barker, MPH, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, 8720 14th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108, 206-764-0526, sarabarker@seamarchc.org

Preventing and controlling diabetes among Latinos in the United States requires innovative communication and health promotion strategies that empower Latinos to take charge of their health and educate friends and families. Working with Public Health-Seattle and King County REACH Diabetes Education Program, Sea Mar Community Health Center, a Latina scriptwriter, and community participants, the project's goal was to develop a drama to educate Latinos about diabetes using a participatory communication model. Developing a theater presentation as an educational tool originated in a Latino diabetes support group. The focus of the project included utilizing a participatory planning process as well as an actual communication tool, participatory in nature. The actual performance involved the audience on stage, in real life situations related to diabetes by employing the Theater of the Oppressed drama technique. A formative evaluation was undertaken during the script development and review process in order to include stories from diabetics, culturally appropriate messages and characters, and communication and health education theory. Participatory communication techniques included a community brainstorming session, focus group, development of a strategic communications plan by Sea Mar staff, pre-testing the script with community members, and review of the script by an external diabetes educator. Overall, community partners highlighted the importance of targeting both the prevention and control of diabetes. Health messages emphasized family support and the complications related to not controlling diabetes. Participatory communication techniques ensured community support for the project and promoted the development of a culturally appropriate communication tool.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the stages of a participatory communication model and how they apply to a community-based theater project.
• Discuss the formative evaluation techniques used in order to create a culturally appropriate Latino performance.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages to using theater as a health communication tool.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Latino Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation