Digital storytelling improving health education

Chronic and communicable diseases are devastating to individuals and community, threatening quality of life and becoming an increasingly consequential factor in the Caribbean’s development. Vulnerable populations such as the poor and underserved are more likely to develop chronic illness and be at risk for communicable diseases than any other group.[1]

By providing health education that is culturally appropriate and accessible, healthcare providers and public health organizations can help to empower individuals and communities to take control of their health and prevent the spread of chronic and communicable diseases.

Digital storytelling can be a powerful tool for addressing a range of health education problems in underserved communities. Here are some specific examples of health education problems that the use of digital storytelling can help solve:

Limited health literacy: Digital storytelling can be used to create engaging and accessible health education content that is easy to understand, even for individuals with limited health literacy. By presenting health information in a narrative format that is easy to follow, digital storytelling can help improve understanding and retention of health concepts.

Cultural and linguistic barriers: Digital storytelling can be used to create health education content that is culturally sensitive and relevant to the specific needs and experiences of different communities. By incorporating different languages, cultural references, and storytelling styles, digital storytelling can help to bridge cultural and linguistic barriers and create a more inclusive and accessible health education experience.

Lack of engagement: Traditional health education methods, such as lectures and brochures, may not be engaging for some individuals in underserved communities. Digital storytelling can be used to create more engaging and interactive health education experiences that are tailored to the needs and preferences of different individuals. By incorporating multimedia elements such as graphics, animation, and sound, digital storytelling can create a more immersive and interactive health education experience.

Stigma and discrimination: Many individuals in underserved communities face stigma and discrimination related to their health conditions. Digital storytelling can be used to address these issues by creating narratives that challenge stereotypes and promote empathy and understanding. By sharing personal stories of individuals who have overcome stigma and discrimination, digital storytelling can help to promote social inclusion and reduce the negative impact of stigma on health outcomes.

In summary, the use of digital storytelling can help address a range of health education problems in underserved communities, including limited health literacy, cultural and linguistic barriers, lack of engagement, and stigma and discrimination. By creating engaging and accessible health education content that is tailored to the specific needs and experiences of different communities, digital storytelling has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities in underserved communities.

[1] PAHO. Strategic Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) for Countries if the Caribbean Community. 2011

The use of digital storytelling to improve health education in underserved communities involves the creation of health education campaigns that use storytelling to promote healthy behaviors related to  specific health issues, such as diabetes or mental health.

Our organization will work with community members and local artists to develop a series of digital stories that share the experiences of individuals living with diabetes and highlight the importance of preventive care, healthy eating, and physical activity. The stories will be developed in a variety of formats, such as short videos, audio recordings, or graphic novels, depending on the needs and preferences of the community.

The digital stories will be shared through social media platforms, community health fairs, and other local events to reach a wider audience. The stories will also be used in group education sessions, where community members  watch the stories and then discuss the key takeaways and how they could apply the information to their own lives.

By using digital storytelling to create engaging and accessible health education content, this campaign will help to increase health literacy, promote healthy behaviors, and improve the overall health of the community. Additionally, by involving local artists and community members in the creation of the stories, the campaign will help to build trust and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in the healthcare system, which could lead to more sustainable and effective health education programs in the future.

The project will target children and youth in the August Town community of Kingston Jamaica. Named after August, the month of Emancipation in 1838, August Town has evolved from a village settled by people who used to work on the Hope, Papine, and Mona plantations, to an inner-city community driven by crime and violence.

Located in eastern St. Andrew in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, it contains, together with the neighbouring area Hermitage, approximately 11,000 inhabitants, in 1,902 dwelling places, over 1.88 square kilometres.

The area is densely populated, and one quarter of the community’s households share a housing unit with another household.

August Town, like many communities across Jamaica, is poor, and employment opportunities are lacking. Despite numerous social intervention efforts over the past twenty years, in 2013, roughly 47% of persons were unemployed.

Nearly 74% of the households in August Town indicated that household members rely on social safety net programmes. [1]

The majority of the employed are engaged in elementary occupations, craft and related trades, shop and market sales, and service occupations. The employed residents work mostly in the area, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), the University Hospital, and the University of Technology (UTech).

Both Universities have a long history of sustained interventions in the August Town community. UTech for example has been hosting a summer youth programme which targets youngsters age four to 20 years, from the communities of August Town, Kintyre, Tavern, Highlight View, Sandy Park and Saunders. The summer classes provide educational support and mentoring, along with motivational sessions that cover areas such as leadership, cultural awareness, respect, career and sex education.

The UWI has a well-established film and media programme, which is named after the community Greater August Town Film Festival (GATTFEST). This project aims to  encourage community development and heritage tourism through film and video production. The main focus of the Project is to empower at risks youths through training and development that will increase their life chances by providing them with a skill.

Building on these initiatives, the Digital Storytelling for improved health education programme will leverages technology and creative storytelling techniques to promote health and wellness in a way that is engaging, accessible, and culturally sensitive. Areas of focus will be health education related to diabetes and mental health.

Overall, the pandemic has highlighted the need for increased support for diabetes management and prevention programs, particularly in underserved communities. It has also underscored the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular access to healthcare services for individuals with diabetes. The pandemic has created increased stress and anxiety for many individuals, which can have a negative impact on blood sugar levels and diabetes management.

Digital storytelling can provide an opportunity for young people to express themselves creatively and share their stories with others. This can help to build a sense of community and social connection, which can have positive impacts on mental health and well-being.

[1] Caribbean Policy Research Institute-University of the West Indies 2019

The team lead, Wayne Williams is based in Kingston Jamaica and he has won a number of international awards for creating Digital Stories. He has taught at institutions such as the Jamaica Theological Seminary and the University of Technology, and developed training programmes for US Peace Corp volunteers in Environmental Management. These institutions are known to cater to youths from several underserved communities in Jamaica.

Mr Williams also collaborated with the University of Technology to host free digital storytelling workshops, for high school students in Kingston, Jamaica.
During his time as an educator, he was also able to meet and get a better understanding of the issues, faced by students living in underserves communities. He is also working with a religious NGO, to develop and provide vocational opportunities to youth in underserved rural communities in Manchester Jamaica and he sits on the Board of an Educational Trust, which provides grant funding to assist high school students with their educational needs.

Dr.  Dorothy Brown earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL. She completed a General Practice Residency at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL and a Masters in Business Administration at Florida International University. Prior to joining GSK as a Medical Science Liaison, Dorothy was a Clinical Health Educator at The Medical Affairs Company for almost 2 years and spent 15 years in hospital practice as a Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator at Coral Springs Medical Center and Memorial Hospital West, Hollywood, FL.  

In 2015, Dr. Brown established Be Well Consultants, LLC, a disease management consultant company with a mission to educate individuals and professionals on common prevention strategies for chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Be Well has partnered with Kiwanis club to host an annual Diabetes Awareness Health fairs,  which provided education to over 1000 individuals cumulatively. 

Jada Williams is currently a student of the University of the West Indies on the Social Sciences Department. She is in her Sophomore year, and has worked as a Summer Intern at the University of Technology's, Teach the Youth' summer programme.

The three-week programme was designed to uplift Jamaica's inner-city youth and will offer a variety of educational as well as social activities.

There are about 700 participants in this year's programme, ranging from age seven to 17, drawn from targeted underserved communities.

The digital storytelling initiatives have so far served some 50 persons from across 8 different Caribbean countries.

We are interested in connecting with peers who have used digital storytelling tools to address the areas of health education outlined in our solutions. Monitoring and evaluation tools are also very important as we measure our impact matrices and assistance with funding will also help us access the most appropriate technologies and resources that can aid with success.

Overall, using digital storytelling to improve health education in underserved communities is considered innovative because it combines technology, creative storytelling, and community engagement to promote health and wellness in a way that is engaging, accessible, and culturally sensitive. By leveraging these innovative techniques, digital storytelling has the potential to transform the way we think about health education and improve health outcomes in underserved communities.

Traditionally, health education in underserved communities has often been delivered through lectures, pamphlets, and other one-way communication methods that can be dry, impersonal, and difficult to understand. These methods can also be limited in their ability to reach and engage a wide range of community members, particularly those who may have low health literacy or face other barriers to accessing care.

By contrast, digital storytelling combines multimedia technologies with personal narratives and cultural relevance to create health education content that is both entertaining and informative. Digital storytelling can take many forms, from short videos and audio recordings to graphic novels and interactive websites, which can be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of different communities.

Moreover, digital storytelling can be used to build trust and foster collaboration among different stakeholders in the healthcare system, including patients, healthcare providers, and community leaders. By involving community members in the creation of the stories, digital storytelling can help to ensure that the content is culturally sensitive and relevant to the specific needs and experiences of the community.

Impact Goals for Using Digital Storytelling to Improve Health Education in Diabetes and Mental Health for Youth in the Identified Underserved Communities:

In year 1 we hope to measure the following:

• Increased Awareness: By the end of the next year, the use of digital storytelling in health education should have raised awareness of diabetes and mental health among youth in underserved communities identified. This should be evident through the number of engagements and views of the digital storytelling content.

• Improved Knowledge: The digital storytelling initiative should have contributed to an improvement in the knowledge of diabetes and mental health among youth in underserved communities in Jamaica. This can be measured through pre and post assessments of knowledge levels.

• Reduced Stigma: The use of digital storytelling should have contributed to the reduction of stigma surrounding diabetes and mental health in underserved communities. This can be assessed through focus group discussions and surveys.

In the next five years we hope to measure:

• Improved Health Outcomes: Over the next five years, the use of digital storytelling should have contributed to improved health outcomes among youth in underserved communities in Jamaica. This can be assessed through metrics such as a reduction in the incidence of diabetes and mental health issues, and an increase in the number of youth seeking medical care.  
• Increased Community Participation: By the end of the next five years, the use of digital storytelling in health education should have resulted in increased community participation in efforts to address diabetes and mental health in underserved communities in Jamaica.
• Greater Advocacy: The digital storytelling initiative should have resulted in greater advocacy efforts for diabetes and mental health in underserved communities in Jamaica, resulting in improved policies and resource allocation for addressing these health challenges

Some indicators which have been measured from previous online therapeutic digital art sessions, have shown a very strong interest in the use of digital storytelling as a viable Knowledge Transfer tool in interactive, knowledge exchange platforms .

Two (2) online therapeutic sessions were conducted during 2021, which saw an increased number of participants as well as interaction.

The comments that were received from the participants showed a need to provide more digital solutions, in promoting health education in the Caribbean, especially amongst the youth.

The theory of change for using digital storytelling to improve health education in underserved communities is based on the idea that by using technology and creative storytelling techniques, we can create health education content that is more engaging, accessible, and culturally sensitive. This, in turn, can lead to improved health literacy, increased adoption of healthy behaviors, and better health outcomes in the community.

The following is an example of a theory of change for a digital storytelling intervention:

Inputs: The first step in the theory of change is to identify the resources and inputs needed to implement the intervention. This may include funding, technical expertise, community partnerships, and access to technology.

Activities: The next step is to define the activities that will be used to create and disseminate the digital stories. This may include community engagement, story development, multimedia production, and content distribution.

Outputs: The outputs of the intervention are the tangible products that are created as a result of the activities. These may include short videos, audio recordings, graphic novels, and other digital media that are designed to promote healthy behaviors and increase health literacy.

Outcomes: The outcomes of the intervention are the changes that are expected to occur as a result of the outputs. This may include increased knowledge and awareness of healthy behaviors, improved health behaviors, and better health outcomes.

Impact: The impact of the intervention is the broader social change that is expected to occur as a result of the outcomes. This may include improvements in population health, increased access to care, and greater equity in healthcare outcomes.

Overall, the theory of change for using digital storytelling to improve health education in underserved communities is based on the belief that by engaging communities through technology and creative storytelling, we can promote healthy behaviors, increase health literacy, and improve health outcomes in a way that is culturally sensitive and sustainable.

Digital storytelling uses various software and tools to create and share stories in a digital format. Some of the key technologies include digital cameras or smartphones to capture images and videos, video editing software to create and edit videos, and web-based platforms or social media to publish and share the stories with a wider audience.

Additionally, multimedia tools such as animations, infographics, and interactive simulations can be used to create engaging and interactive digital stories that can effectively communicate health education messages about diabetes and mental health to youth in underserved communities.

Overall, the core technology in digital storytelling is the use of multimedia elements to create compelling stories that can effectively communicate health education messages and engage youth in underserved communities in Jamaica.

Our team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds in terms of age, gender, and ethnicity. This diversity can bring unique perspectives and experiences to the team, leading to more creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.

Our team plans to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive by:

• Increasing representation: The team will aim to recruit individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures, with diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Promoting inclusivity: The team will aim to create an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.
• Providing diversity training: The team will also aim to provide training to team members on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics to increase awareness, understanding, and empathy.

To achieve these goals, our team will take a range of actions, such as:

• Partnering with community organizations: Partnering with community organizations can help the team to connect with diverse talent pools and build relationships with individuals from different backgrounds.
• Conducting targeted outreach: The team will aim to conduct targeted outreach to diverse communities, such as working with community-based agencies, involved with recruiting that caters to specific communities.
• Providing mentorship opportunities: The team will develop and provide mentorship opportunities to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to help them advance in their careers and increase their representation in the industry.

Our business model promotes mental wellness by helping individuals express their emotions and experiences in a creative and engaging way. By offering digital storytelling services, our organization can help individuals work through personal issues and develop greater emotional resilience, leading to improved mental health and wellbeing. In addition, through digital storytelling, the organization also provides valuable educational resources on a variety of wellness topics. By creating engaging and informative digital content, we help individuals develop the knowledge and skills they need to improve their overall wellbeing.

The business model also creates a sense of community, as we help individuals connect with others who share similar experiences and interests, creating a sense of community and support. By providing a platform for individuals to share their stories and connect with others, the organization can help foster a sense of belonging and social support, which can be critical for maintaining good mental health.

The business model generates revenue by seeking sponsorship of digital health events and promotions. By collaborating with other organizations that share a similar mission and target audience, we can reach a wider audience and generate more revenue through event sponsorship, advertising, and other promotional activities.

While seeking grants and sponsorships of digital health events and promotions is considered to be a good start, the business model also allows for the offering of fee-based services or selling products related to our digital storytelling and wellness services. For instance, we will offer personalized wellness coaching services or create a digital product (e.g., e-book or online course) that teaches people how to incorporate wellness into their daily lives.

We will also continue to create a strong brand identity that resonates with our target audience and showcases our expertise and values.
We will also develop Strategic Partnerships  with other businesses or organizations can help the business expand its reach and attract more customers. For example, we will partner with health insurance and wellness companies,  to offer joint services or cross-promote each other's services.
We plan to leverage our Digital Marketing expertise by using various digital marketing tactics, such as social media, email marketing, and content marketing, to increase our visibility and attract more sponsors and social partners.

In the past we have partnered with educational institutions in Jamaica and Florida, who have sponsored some of our events. We have also received support from companies who provide health products and services as well as  individuals who share concerns about health education for underserved communities