9 - Empowering Trusted Voices: Multilingual Public Health Video Creation and Dissemination to Advance Health Equity for Children and Families

Publication Number: 4008.9

Janine Young, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, United States; Ruth Teseyem Tadesse, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, United States; Rawnaq Behnam, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States; Sarah Kuech, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN, United States; Tierney R. Hall, University of Oxford, St. Paul, MN, United States; Tala Al-Rousan, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States; Blain Mamo, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul, MN, United States

Background: All communities need timely access to accurate health information, delivered in ways they understand. This is not available to those with varying literacy levels or who speak languages other than English.

Objective: With community navigators (CN), choose topics, write, culturally vet, and produce video messages in 5 languages; recruit newcomers to receive texted videos in their language, evaluate information received; identify other topics needed.

Design/Methods: IRB exemption obtained. CNs fluent in 5 languages joined experts in public health and chose 6 topics. English language scripts were written/vetted to assure medical accuracy and cultural understanding prior to translation and then were reviewed/edited. Video images were used to increase understanding of audio-scripting. CNs recruited newcomers ( < 5 yrs in US, >=18 yrs old) by visiting ethnic community-based organizations, sites of worship and via Zoom outreach, and received consent to participate in meetings to evaluate ease of opening texted links and message comprehension. Cellphone numbers/basic demographic data was recorded.

Results: Six topics were chosen: primary care vs ER/urgent care; interpreter use; mental health; nutrition; vision; and dental. Individuals recruited (N=205) from July-September 2025, majority from San Diego; 65% women, 22% spoke Haitian Creole, 19% Dari, 28% Pashto, 11% Spanish,19% Arabic; average time in US 24 months, Spanish-speakers 4 yrs. Ten refused inclusion. Mean age 35 yrs. Pashto-speaking participants had largest families (mean 6.4), Spanish- and Haitian Creole-speakers the smallest (2.0 and 2.8, respectively); mean years of education ranged from 10.4-13.5 (Pashto- and Spanish-speakers, respectively); 9% Haitian Creole-speakers could not read; close to 100% other language-speakers could. >90% found links easy to open; presented important information; stated that images helped augment understanding; addressed newcomer needs; and respected culture. Suggested video topics included: children’s, women’s and mental health and health system information (Table 1). CN exit interviews showed that women, especially mothers, were the most engaged and served as trusted health messengers in newcomer communities.

Conclusion(s): In times of significant fear in immigrant communities, we recruited >200 newcomers. Multilingual CNs were essential. All groups were able to open texted links and found messages/video images understandable/health promoting. Children’s, women's and mental health topics were of ongoing interest. Audio/video text messaging is an effective way to present health information across languages and literacy levels.

Empowering Trusted Voices: Multilingual Public Health Video Creation and Dissemination to Advance Health Equity of Children and Families
Table 1 PAS submission Young J.pdfTable 1: Demographic Data of Newcomer Family Participants (N=205) and Stated Public Health Information of Interest