Health Disparities & Trust in Healthcare in the San Joaquin Valley
This quantitative study explores how social determinants of health such as access to care, socioeconomic factors, and structural barriers are associated with trust in healthcare systems among communities in California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV). The project aligns with the UC Merced Center of Health Equity's mission to advance community-engaged research that addresses health inequities and promotes trust between healthcare systems and underserved communities. Findings from this study aim to inform policies and practices that strengthen patient-provider relationships and improve healthcare engagement in rural and underserved areas.
Culture & Disclosure of Illness in Latinx Communities - Provider Strategies
This study focuses on identifying how healthcare providers can better support Latinx patients and their families at the time of diagnosis by offering culturally responsive resources, communication strategies, and support systems that respect family dynamics and cultural norms. Using qualitative data collected from community members and community health workers, the project examines how cultural beliefs, values, and family dynamics shape decisions around illness disclosure and nondisclosure, and how these patterns can inform provider- and system-level practices that promote trust, support, engagement in care.
Medical Education & Community-Based Care (PACBE / ASPIRE Model)
This project examined a community-engaged medical education model that integrates medical students, community health workers (CHWs/Promotores de Salud), and underserved communities in California's San Joaquin Valley. Through the ASPIRE Summer Fellowship and partnerships with the Camarena Health Promotora Network to deliver virtual, community-based diabetes education and develop culturally based diabetes education and develop culturally responsive health education materials. The study explored how early, community-based learning experiences shape medical student training, professional identity, and understanding of social and structural determinants of health, while highlighting the critical role of Promotoras as cultural and linguistic brokers in healthcare delivery and learning.
Health Literacy & Health Conditions in the San Joaquin Valley
This study is one component of the activities planned to begin dissemination of findings from the extended Promotora and Community Based Education project led by Dr. Rosa D. Manzo. The overarching goal of this specific study is to consider health literacy of patients in Latino heritage rural communities and associated health conditions. We will analyze data collected at community health center sites in California’s San Joaquin Valley (SJV), drawing focus to measures of health literacy levels, health status (assessment of different health conditions), engagement with community health workers (CHWs), and sociodemographic variables. The corresponding manuscript will be written in collaboration with community health partners. Overall, the project findings aim to inform our community partners, health organizations, the research community, and the general public about health literacy rates and associated health conditions in the SJV, a prominent rural region, and touch on the possible role of CHWs in supporting community health literacy.
