Jaidyn Opuni
Research Mentor(s): Clare Gatto
Mentor Department: BULK Space
Authors: Jaidyn Opuni, Clare Gatto
Session: Session 6 (3:00pm – 3:50pm)
Presentation Type: Creative Project
Abstract
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental necessity, yet marginalized populations in southeast Michigan continue to face significant barriers due to various social determinants of health. Results of these barriers include lack of health literacy, inability to adapt to changing policy regarding maternal healthcare access, and struggles toward achieving food sovereignty. This study aims to address these gaps in public awareness through examining critical stakeholders and using mapping technology to target at-risk populations. Through collaboration with community partners, we have worked to create workshops and materials to ensure the accessible distribution of critical health-based knowledge. Tracking engagement on social media and within our workshops surrounding abortion access, we have found that participants benefited greatly from connecting with their community. Using this targeted outreach and community-led social support, we believe that investing in partnering organizations is crucial toward mending widespread distrust of government-led public health initiatives. We will continue to monitor how changes in grant funding will impact the efficacy of our outreach efforts in repeating participant satisfaction outcomes and in the production of our materials. In conclusion, as we expand our outreach efforts to various other domains of healthcare such as health literacy and food sovereignty, we anticipate an increase in participation and participant satisfaction.
