Partnering for Health with Nebraska's Latina Immigrant Community Using Design Thinking Process.

BACKGROUND: The Center for Reducing Health Disparities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center partnered with El Centro de Las Americas, a community-based organization, and various community members to develop a 1-day Spanish-language health conference entitled El Encuentro de La Mujer Sana (Healthy Woman Summit) for immigrant Latinas in Nebraska during May 2013 as part of National Women's Health Week. OBJECTIVE: Design thinking was used to create a meaningful learning experience specifically designed for monolingual Spanish-speaking immigrant Latinas in Nebraska and build a foundation for collaboration between an academic institution, community-based organizational partners, and community members. METHODS: We used the design thinking methodology to generate ideas for topics and prototyped agendas with community stakeholders that would be relevant and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health education. CONCLUSIONS: By developing community-based health education programs for Latinas with Latinas through a community-engaged co-creation process, organizations and communities build trust, enhance community capacity, and meet identified needs for education and service. Design thinking is a valuable tool that can be used to develop community health education initiatives and enhance civic participation. This method holds promise for health education and public health in becoming more relevant for traditionally marginalized or disenfranchised populations.

Stress Factors Contributing to Depression Among Latino Migrant Farmworkers in Nebraska.

Migrant farmworkers represent a structurally vulnerable population coming to rural communities to work, but often are economically disadvantaged and socially isolated. Based on survey data from 200 migrant farmworkers in rural Nebraska in 2013, this study seeks to identify and categorize major stressors that have contributed to depression among farmworkers. Over 30% of respondents were identified to have high stress levels as indicated by the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory (MFWSI). The MFWSI was categorized into eight domains: economics and logistics; acculturation and social isolation; relationship with partner; health; entertainment; concerns for children; and substance use by others. Nearly half (45.8%) of respondents were depressed. Correlations between the principal component scores of the eight stressor domains and the cumulative depression score were significant for the domains: (1) economics and logistics and (2) health (r = 0.22, p < 0.01). Findings highlight the importance of improving economic and living conditions as well as addressing social and cultural needs by creating more welcoming receiving communities.