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

Yashira M. Sánchez Colón (), Edna Acosta Pérez, Mayra L. Roubert Rivera, Marizaida Sánchez Cesáreo, Christine Miranda Diaz, Glenda L. Ortiz, Jean C. Meléndez González, Valeria M. Schleier Albino and Laura Mora Lemus
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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
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
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: Clinical Research Center, Universidad Central del Caribe, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, Bayamón 00956, Puerto Rico
Jean C. Meléndez González: Grupo Nexos, Inc., San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
Valeria M. Schleier Albino: Environmental Health Department, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico
Laura Mora Lemus: Community Health and Research Council for the Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 14, 1-14

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: isolation; community forum; social determinants of health; health priorities; Puerto Rico; Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research (Alliance) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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