Preferred Distribution Methods of Health Information for Hispanics

Abstract

Emerging Hispanic communities in the U.S. have experienced barriers in health care access and health literacy. A program evaluation was conducted at a health department in eastern North Carolina to assess the preferred method of receiving health information by a sub-set of Hispanic adults. Evaluation data included an assessment tool completed by Hispanic adults receiving care at the local health department (LHD), key informant interviews, and 7 weeks of participant-observation at the LHD. The top three preferences for ages 18-35 were nurses (76%), doctors (76%), and family/friends/neighbors (70%). The top three preferences for ages 35 and older were family/friends/neighbors (65%), doctors (57%), and television (57%). The three preferences for the whole sample were doctors (68%), family/friends/neighbors (68%), and nurses (65%). The findings indicate a difference of preferences between the younger and older populations. Based on the results, a possible method to consider for distributing health information for the older adult Hispanic population may be to implement a CHW program, whereas methods to consider for distributing health information to the younger adult population may be through television, Internet, or radio.