DrPH Student Explores Use of Photovoice for Participatory Engagement in Marginalized Communities

In a published commentary in the American Journal of Public Health, DrPH candidate Grace Abby Adan argues for expanding the use of a methodology known as photovoice to enhance participation of marginalized people in conversations about public health. Photovoice is a participatory research method used for representing the perspective of the community.  Community members take photos that reflect the unique social and environmental aspects of health and well-being in their communities; these photos may often reflect problems but can also demonstrate assets of communities and organizations. 

For many years, photovoice has been used by the School of Public Health’s Office of Public Health Practice to bring together local public health practitioners on a particular public health topic, culminating in a viewing of the submissions and a panel discussion at the School of Public Health. 

We recently sat with Adan to talk about her motivation for writing the article and her doctoral research. 

Why did you choose to pursue a career in public health? 

“My interest in population health promotion began in my junior year of undergrad when I took courses on women's health and gender studies at the Columbia Institute for Research on Women and Gender back in 2006. I decided to look for MPH programs where I could pursue my passion in health education and behavioral sciences. I ended up pursuing my studies at Emory University. From there I worked in clinical research compliance for five years before I decided to apply to DrPH programs so that I could build my leadership skills.” 

Tell us about your research/dissertation? 

“My dissertation deals with the emerging field of consumer health informatics and Public Health 2.0. I am learning how virtual social networks can help inform the integrated work of public health and clinical medicine. Physicians can gain insights from social networking websites in terms of patient attitudes toward chronic disease management. Those of us in public health research can also use such data to inform infoveillance and infodemiology research and planning. For those who might not be familiar with those terms, infodemiology is an emerging field that analyzes health-related content on the internet and infoveillance refers to the use of online data to track disease.” 

What led you to write about photovoice for the American Journal of Public Health? 

“Photovoice resonates with me because it is a powerful tool for academic-community partnerships in public health. Residents and health advocates in neighborhoods can use photos to document challenges that require policy or interventions. Those of us in schools of public health can also use such photographs to advocate for our neighbors by designing interventions in a participatory manner. 

When I wrote my submission I also drew from my experiences teaching HPM 577: Religion, Spirituality, and Public Health at UAlbany, where we explored health equity frameworks, challenges, and methods for participatory engagement. Through an examination of how the term “marginalized” shapes our work, we were able to gain insights into ways we can foster visibility through storytelling for individuals affected by adversity.” 

How did students use photovoice in your course? 

“I asked my students to use a program called VoiceThread, which allows users to create multimedia compositions using documents, photographs, diagrams, and videos, to voice annotate select photos of interest related to community health assets or deficits (signage, buildings, etc.) in their own backyard. Specifically, students were tasked with assessing community assets and deficits related to faith-based and interfaith efforts. They could decide to document any form of health promotion (physical health) or community outreach (mental health) held at houses of worship or centers for spirituality practice.” 

Any specific submissions that stood out? 

“Two of the photovoice VoiceThread projects focused on food sovereignty across the Capital District which included photos and mapped interfaith efforts facilitated by the Soul Fire Farm and Capital Roots in Rensselaer County, respectively in Grafton and Troy. 

We also had a virtual guest speaker panel before the photovoice projects were due with guest speakers including Albany-based Koinonia Primary Care's Dr. Bob Paeglow, NYSDOH Faith Communities Project Coordinator Carol Tyrell, and Albany Medical Center Chaplain Reverend Jacob Marvel to give students insights as they prepared their initial plans for outreach to local community liaison contacts. 

It was an excellent learning opportunity that allowed them to take full advantage of digital technology while being present in the built environment and exploring the public health assets and weaknesses of their respective communities. I would encourage other educators to make use of photovoice in their courses, especially if there is a focus on marginalized or at-risk communities.”