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Sánchez Colón YM, Acosta Pérez E, Roubert Rivera ML, Sánchez Cesáreo M, Miranda Diaz C, Ortiz GL, Meléndez González JC, Schleier Albino VM, Mora Lemus L. Community Forums as Amplifiers of Communities' Voices: Isolated Communities in Puerto Rico. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:6335. [PMID: 37510568 PMCID: PMC10379210 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashira M. Sánchez Colón
- Public Health Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce Research Institute-Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc., Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico;
| | - Edna Acosta Pérez
- Center for Sociomedical Research and Evaluation, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico; (E.A.P.); (M.S.C.)
| | - Mayra L. Roubert Rivera
- Public Health Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce Research Institute-Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc., Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, Ponce 00716, Puerto Rico;
| | - Marizaida Sánchez Cesáreo
- Center for Sociomedical Research and Evaluation, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico; (E.A.P.); (M.S.C.)
- Grupo Nexos, Inc., San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico;
| | - Christine Miranda Diaz
- Institute of Research, Education, and Services in Addiction (IRESA), Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, Bayamón 00956, Puerto Rico;
| | - Glenda L. Ortiz
- Institute of Research, Education, and Services in Addiction (IRESA), Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, Bayamón 00956, Puerto Rico;
| | | | - Valeria M. Schleier Albino
- Center for Sociomedical Research and Evaluation, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico; (E.A.P.); (M.S.C.)
| | - Laura Mora Lemus
- Clinical Research Center, Universidad Central del Caribe, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, Bayamón 00956, Puerto Rico
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