Empowering older adults to co-construct knowledge for peer delivered health education and leadership through creating Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Introduction and background: Older low income and minority adults experience disparities in access to current health information that could improve preventive self-management and change health norms. Structural barriers include generic rather than specifically tailored cultural content, inappropriate delivery sites, modalities and role models. This paper describes a facilitated empowerment approach to improving older adult health literacy and activism in promotion of flu vaccination and oral health by integrating local and scientific knowledge through the development of “frequently asked questions (FAQs)”. Methods: In each content area a dedicated team of academic/community researchers and health educators worked with seniors and residents with disabilities in senior housing to develop their own set of FAQs. The curriculum included forging individual and group identity around the health topic, raising questions about the topic, sorting and synthesizing questions into groups, talking with scientific experts about responses, combining local knowledge with scientific knowledge, comparing the group's work with existing FAQs from recognized sites, and developing visuals for each FAQ. Results: Individual level recognition of knowledge gaps, group consensus on definitions and visuals, and and use in advocacy and health promotion with peers and public. Outcomes. This methodology links previously marginalized and disempowered older adults and adults with disabilities to health education professionals; builds the basis for peer education programs to change social norms and health knowledge; produces locally, culturally, and situationally appropriate materials for use in health campaigns and multilevel interventions; promotes health leadership development; and it can be disseminated to other senior buildings and communities.