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. 2023 Jul 10;20(14):6335.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20146335.

Community Forums as Amplifiers of Communities' Voices: Isolated Communities in Puerto Rico

Yashira M Sánchez Colón  1 , Edna Acosta Pérez  2 , Mayra L Roubert Rivera  1 , Marizaida Sánchez Cesáreo  2   3 , Christine Miranda Diaz  4 , Glenda L Ortiz  5 , Jean C Meléndez González  3 , Valeria M Schleier Albino  6 , Laura Mora Lemus  7
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Community Forums as Amplifiers of Communities' Voices: Isolated Communities in Puerto Rico

Yashira M Sánchez Colón et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Social determinants of health contribute to health disparities and inequities. We conducted a community forum on the topic of isolation with the objectives of (1) identifying and prioritizing key health-related issues needing attention in isolated communities in Puerto Rico; (2) developing strategies in terms of Policies, Programs, and Practices to address the community priorities we identified. We used the triangulation method for qualitative data, integrating the Colorado State University's Tri-ethnic Center Model and the Delphi Technique for a better understanding of community health needs and priorities. The five community health-related priorities identified in the community forum were: (1) access to health services (physical and mental); (2) older adults; (3) access to basic services; (4) preparedness for future disasters/emergencies; and (5) COVID-19 and access to vaccination. The Alliance Leaders and Advisory Boards understand that we will work with the priorities of preparedness for future natural disasters/emergencies and COVID-19 and access to vaccination. Fifteen strategies were developed for these priorities and were grouped into five areas that require more attention in order to reduce health disparities. Isolated communities in Puerto Rico present an intersectionality of factors that affect a wide range of health-related risks and outcomes.

Keywords: Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research (Alliance); Puerto Rico; community forum; health priorities; isolation; social determinants of health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Municipalities of Puerto Rico represented in the forum.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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