ABSTRACT

Communication infrastructure theory (CIT) suggests that an ethnic enclave’s communication infrastructure (CI) shapes the community’s unique social processes that give rise to social determinants of health. A well-integrated CI in ethnic enclaves that includes community-based organizations (CBOs), local ethnic media, and resident networks is positively associated with residents’ health outcomes. Through storytelling, CBOs and other community actors obtain and disseminate information, develop a sense of belonging to the community, and participate in problem-solving activities, including health-related ones. Local ethnic media can play an important role in building a network of neighborhood storytellers by catalyzing storytelling about local resources and problems. We propose three main categories of “catalyzing storytelling” by local ethnic media: 1) CBO stories, 2) geo-ethnic stories, and 3) presentation of root causes and solutions for community problems. This study examines the content of Boston Chinatown’s local ethnic news media outlet, Sampan, to assess the three categories of catalyzing stories. We analyzed a total of 340 news articles and one interview with the editor. The findings showed that Sampan tells stories in all three categories. Based on our findings, we further develop the concept of catalyzing as a communication process in CIT. This new concept in CIT has practical implications for public health communication as it demonstrates a process through which local ethnic media can foster community engagement and health. Health communicators should seek opportunities to work collaboratively with local ethnic media in ways that will serve to catalyze community.

摘要

通信基础设施理论 (CIT) 表明，种族飞地的通信基础设施 (CI) 塑造了社区独特的社会过程，从而产生了健康的社会决定因素。包括社区组织 (CBO)、当地民族媒体和居民网络在内的民族飞地中整合良好的 CI 与居民的健康结果呈正相关。通过讲故事，CBO 和其他社区参与者获取和传播信息，培养对社区的归属感，并参与解决问题的活动，包括与健康相关的活动。地方民族媒体可以通过促进讲述当地资源和问题，在建立邻里故事讲述者网络方面发挥重要作用。我们提出了三个主要类别的地方民族媒体“催化讲故事”：1) CBO 故事，2) 地缘种族故事，以及 3) 介绍社区问题的根本原因和解决方案。这项研究考察了波士顿唐人街当地民族新闻媒体的内容，舢板，评估三类催化故事。我们一共分析了 340 篇新闻文章和一篇对编辑的采访。调查结果表明，舢舨讲述了所有三个类别的故事。根据我们的研究结果，我们进一步发展了催化作为 CIT 中沟通过程的概念。CIT 中的这一新概念对公共卫生传播具有实际意义，因为它展示了当地少数民族媒体可以促进社区参与和健康的过程。健康传播者应寻求机会与当地少数民族媒体合作，以促进社区发展。