ABSTRACT
Background
Identifying trusted sources of health information and exploring what makes these sources trustworthy is an important aspect of public health. This exploration requires embracing the cultural differences in minoritized communities, which are often treated as homogeneous. This qualitative study identifies and analyze the sources of trusted COVID-19 information among Black and Latinx communities in Michigan and assesses the rationale underlying this trust.
Methods
Interviews were conducted with 24 Black and 16 Latinx participants (n = 40) in four Michigan counties significantly impacted by COVID-19. The socio-ecological model was applied as an analytical framework for understanding the entities considered trusted sources of information. Within each level of the model, the dimensions of trustworthiness most salient for participants were identified.
Results
We found that sources of information came from all levels of the model, including interpersonal (COVID-19 survivors, church representatives, friends, relatives), organizational (employers, healthcare providers, traditional news reports), social media (hybrid source), community (members and groups), and public policy (county health department, federal and state government). Furthermore, participants determined whether they could trust information about COVID-19 by cross-referencing multiple resources. We identified competence, confidence, communication, and system trust as the dimensions of trustworthiness most often reported by participants.
Conclusions
Our research suggests public health communications should engage in cross-referencing practices, providing information from sources at all levels of interaction, cultural competency, and awareness of historical/structural inequities. These efforts would be further strengthened by attending to needs for both factual information as well as care and personal connection.
Acknowledgments
We express our heartfelt gratitude to the community members of the MICEAL and CIVIC Steering Committee, whose partnership has been invaluable and instrumental in making this work possible.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethical approval
“The Fierce Urgency of Now”: Communities Conquering Covid (C3)- A Qualitative Interview Study was reviewed, approved, and determined as Exempt by the Health Science and Behavioral Sciences IRB (IRB HSBS) of the University of Michigan (Ref. ID: HUM00190371). The Initial Date of Approval was 11/18/2020.
Authors' Contributions
Concept and design: Carmona, Platt. Acquisition of data: Platt. Analysis and interpretation of data: Carmona, Reema, Sawant, Platt. Drafting of the manuscript: Carmona, Reema, Sawant, Platt. Critical revision of the paper for important intellectual content: Woolford, Ayse, Lima, Israel, Burke, Rowe.
Data availability statement
Data applicable to this study are available from the principal investigators (Marsh, Israel) on reasonable request.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Gloria Carmona
Gloria Carmona, MPH, is a Senior research specialist at the Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan.
Kashmira Sawant
Kashmira Sawant, is a Master of Health Informatics Student, a graduate Student Instructor at College of LSA, University of Michigan.
Reema Hamasha
Reema Hamasha, BS, is a Research Assistant in the Department of Learning Health Sciences and a Master of Health Informatics Student. University of Michigan.
Fernanda Lima Cross
Fernanda Lima Cross, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at School of Social Work. University of Michigan.
Susan J. Woolford
Susan J. Woolford, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center.
Ayse G. Buyuktur
Ayse G. Buyuktur, PhD, is a senior research area specialist at MICHR. University of Michigan.
Sarah Burke Bailey
Sarah Burke Bailey, PhD, CEO of Bridges Into the Future: Community Partner with Michigan Institute Clinical & Health Research (MICHR). University of Michigan.
Zachary Rowe
Zachary Rowe, BBA, is the Executive Director of Friends of Parkside. Detroit-Michigan.
Erica Marsh
Erica Marsh, MD, MSCI is Vice Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. University of Michigan.
Barbara Israel
Barbara Israel, DrPH, MPH, is a professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Education, University of Michigan.
Jodyn Platt
Jodyn Platt, MPH, PhD is a researcher and associate professor in the Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan.