IDIA2009 Conference
Engaging and Empowering Developing Communities using ICT Enhanced Health and Wellbeing Communication
Benjamin O'Mara
Institute for Community, Ethnicity and Policy Alternatives, Victoria University, Australia
Abstract
In the 21st century, information is increasingly communicated online or through other forms of information communication technology (ICT). The use or non-use of technology can have significant impacts on health awareness and outcomes, particularly for developing communities across the globe. This paper explores the role and challenges of empowering communities by using ICT to communicate messages of health and community wellbeing. It will establish the potential of culturally sensitive and community driven strategies for the use and application of ICT, and how developing communities can harness ICT for improved access to culturally appropriate health communication. Generating positive physical and mental health outcomes for developing communities is a complex task with many interrelating factors. Cultural, ethnic and economic background plays an important role in the health of communities, and in quality access to knowledge and information relating to health. This is of particular importance in the communication of physical and mental wellbeing messages where there is an increasing tendency to rely on the use of high tech information technologies of communication despite the well acknowledged ‘digital divide’ (Muir and Boot 2005) between and within groups. Engaging and empowering communities using ICT requires a digital framework that is accessible, affordable and can be adapted and developed in culturally sensitive and strategic ways. Older members of some communities, for example, are particularly disadvantaged in terms of information technology literacy. Groups with limited access to economic resources (such as the Sudanese in Australia), coupled with limited English language acquisition and illiteracy in their first languages, have been particularly disadvantaged by computer and keyboard reliant technologies, although recent advances in visually-based (as opposed to text) interactive technologies may have the potential to address this technological exclusion. Intergenerational, ‘family’ approaches to the use and application of new and emerging forms of ICT, such as mobile phones and interactive online environments, also demonstrate capacity for improving community engagement with technology. The research undertaken for this paper is qualitative in nature. It draws on a review of the relevant academic literature and government and health service provider initiatives, and interviews and focus groups with Sudanese, Vietnamese and Samoan communities living in metropolitan and rural areas of Victoria, Australia. The paper offers a focussed basis for the development of alternative information technology enhanced strategies for health communication, and will provide insight into effective methodologies when working with a range of developing communities with limited access to technology and health information. The paper will report from a community perspective on what ICT these communities access and what ICT-supported delivery approaches are effective in the communication of health and community wellbeing information. The processes of globalisation have resulted in more interconnectedness of the world. However, in order to assist communities in creating improved health awareness through ICT, and work in partnership with them to initiate change using technology on their terms and in sustainable ways, this paper argues for communally driven and culturally sensitive uses and application of ICT to empower developing communities through more effective communication of health and community wellbeing messages.
