Background: This session, led by an immigrant scholar in the U.S., explores how social determinants of health (SDoH) impacted the COVID-19 experiences of migrant agricultural workers (MAWs), a marginalized segment of the immigrant population. U.S. agriculture heavily relies on immigrant labor. During the pandemic, the U.S. government classified MAWs as essential workers, putting their lives and families at risk to maintain America’s food supply. Despite food processing plants becoming virus hotspots, MAWs continued their work, resulting in a COVID-19 infection rate four times higher than non-agricultural workers. This study investigates the factors contributing to their increased vulnerability.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted across Iowa with seventeen migrant agricultural workers and one migrant recruiter. They were interviewed in English, Spanish, and French. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for data analysis, followed by thematic analysis for emerging themes.

Results: Using the SDoH framework, findings indicate that employment, transportation, housing, language barriers, communication challenges, income instability, lack of access to healthcare, daycare, and immigration status influenced the experiences of MAWs and their families during pandemic. These determinants heightened their vulnerability to COVID-19 infection and limited their access to health education resources.

Conclusions: The health impacts of SDoH can differ within and across populations due to varying levels of exposure or susceptibility to health-promoting and health-compromising conditions. MAWs were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because of their work conditions and experiences with SDoH. Addressing these determinants is essential for enhancing the health of MAWs and reducing health disparities within this vulnerable group.

Issue:
January was declared Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Month by Michigan’s Governor in 2024. The county health rankings model shares clinical care impacts 20% of a person’s length and quality of life, while SDOH impacts 80%. While widely recognized in public health, there remains a need to educate the broader community including elected officials and systems leaders on the impact of SDOH. A key challenge is overcoming siloed efforts by various groups and agencies in addressing SDOH and fostering collaboration to address upstream impacts. Finally, greater community/public awareness is needed in SDOH education to address systemic health disparities/inequities.

Description:
The Social Determinants of Health Solutions Lab (SDOH-SL) is a cross-sector effort to develop and advance an SDOH agenda in Flint and Genesee County. Founded in 2023, this community-academic partnership focuses on creating opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement, education, and policy development to ensure SDOH solutions are considered in policy deliberations. We seek to break down silos to advance a collaborative approach towards solutions.

Lessons Learned:

Community members want to engage and learn about the SDOH. The co-creation of an SDOH group strengthens community buy-in and trust. The continuum of community engaged research served as an effective guide to establishing the SDOH-SL. Community education and interventions should be led by community members and supported by institutional partners.

Recommendations:

• Utilize community-based participatory research principles to ensure equity and governance (decision-making).
• Ensure representation from all SDOH domain leaders and decision-makers.
• Engage non-health/medical partners to understand their role in community health.

Climate change presents a growing public health crisis, with rising temperatures, increased flooding, declining air and water quality, and the spread of infectious diseases all disproportionately affecting low-income and Black communities in South Louisiana. Historically, climate research and public health interventions have been top-down, meaning that affected communities have had limited influence over the solutions designed to support them. This approach can result in policies that fail to address local needs or exclude the voices of those most impacted. The BRIDGE project recognizes that community members are experts in their own experiences. By using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methods, BRIDGE ensures that data collection, analysis, and policy recommendations are informed by the people who experience climate change firsthand. To capture community perspectives on climate change, disaster preparedness, and resilience, focus groups were conducted in Plaquemines Parish and Orleans Parish along with Key Informant interviews with local leaders. Data from the community focus groups in each parish were also compared to the key informant interview data to determine any disparities in themes. The analysis resulted in multiple themes including Climate Change, Displacement, and Economic Burdens and Infrastructure Resilience and Environmental Challenges. This report highlights key areas where policy and community perspectives align, as well as gaps that require further collaboration. While city officials continue to focus on infrastructure and resilience planning, residents in Plaquemines Parish and the Lower 9th Ward are facing immediate challenges that require targeted interventions.

Background

Healthcare & public health students are taught about the social drivers of health through lectures and readings, but seldom have opportunities to learn from individuals with lived experience (experts). The Community Voices Series (CVS) addresses this gap by centering voices of those who have encountered stigma and barriers seeking healthcare due to their perceived identities. Experts share personal narratives and perspectives on healthcare access, equity, stigma, and justice. Sessions are moderated by students and attended by learners from a range of disciplines, including public health, medicine, nursing, counseling, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Methods
CVS sessions are held quarterly (10–40 attendees). Attendees are invited to submit written reflections. To date, 30 have been analyzed using directed content analysis, with additional reflections expected by May 2025. Feedback was also collected from moderators and the experts.

Results
Thematic analysis revealed six key insights: CVS was (1) educational and impactful, (2) humanizing, (3) supportive of patient-centered care, (4) empathy-enhancing, (5) prompted reflection on privilege, and (6) revealed systemic mistreatment of vulnerable individuals. Student moderators reported feeling “moved” and appreciative of the power of storytelling. The experts expressed feelings of being “valued” and “seen,” with one sharing, “I never thought I could be a teacher, but here I am.”

Conclusion
CVS is a meaningful and impactful educational initiative that benefits students, moderators, and experts alike. By fostering dialogue with individuals who have experienced health inequities firsthand, the series deepens learners’ understanding of systemic barriers and inspires critical thinking toward more equitable healthcare practices.