Using PhotoVoice Research to Determine Health Equity Issues

Abstract

Health equality is more so offering the same services to individuals whereas health equity is every person given a fair chance to achieve the highest form of health status without there being barriers established due to the social determinants of their health. These determinants of health can be in various categories such as education, access to health care, transportation, food desserts, and housing editions. The state of Oklahoma is experiencing a lot of health equity issues, more specifically on the east side of Oklahoma City in the zip codes 73111 and 73105. The purpose of this research project was to create a plan of action addressing the health equity issues in Oklahoma City and share the results broadly in the community. The research involved participants who were raised or currently living in the zip codes listed above, this was important for it gave prominent leaders the opportunity to hear from the individuals who were personally affected. The PhotoVoice research project consisted of photos taken by eight participants who were given digital cameras to take pictures of the social and built environment that they felt played a part in the health inequity concerns. After the images were received, individual interviews were then held to hear personal narratives and descriptions about each photo. The research was later displayed as a gallery to pinpoint the barriers that the individuals living in those communities felt brought hindrance to them obtaining the best health