Social Science and Medicine
Volume 165, 2016, Pages 214-222

Cultures of engagement: The organizational foundations of advancing health in immigrant and low-income communities of color (Article) (Open Access)

Bloemraad I.* , Terriquez V.
  • a Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, United States
  • b Department of Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz, United States

Abstract

A rich civic infrastructure of community-based organizations (CBOs) can help generate, diffuse and maintain a culture of engagement and health that benefits marginalized populations most at risk for illness, disability, and poor health. Attention to CBOs advances “meso-level” frameworks for understanding health cultures and outcomes by going beyond attention to social networks and social identities. We focus on three mechanisms: CBOs can (1) empower individuals by developing civic capacity and personal efficacy; (2) foster solidarity by building networks, social identities and a shared commitment to collective well-being; and (3) mobilize people to have a voice in health-related policies and programming, thereby affecting community well-being. We draw on theory and research in sociology, political science and psychology, and we illustrate the utility of a CBO approach by examining survey and semi-structured interview data from participants in youth civic groups in 13 low-income, predominantly immigrant communities in California. Interview data illustrate the ways in which CBOs enhance members' civic capacities, provide a sense of empowerment and efficacy to engage in healthy behaviors, develop solidarity among diverse participants, and elaborate networks among those committed to community well-being. We also discuss CBO-led campaigns in which youth mobilized for change in policies and practices of local institutions to illustrate possible community-wide health consequences of CBO engagement. CBOs can thus generate individual-level well-being effects, and reduce structural barriers to good health through changes in the broader environment. © 2016 The Authors

Author Keywords

youth civic engagement United States Collective action Community-based organizations immigrant communities Low-income minorities Cultures of health

Index Keywords

immigrant health promotion lowest income group community care poverty human wellbeing collective action Asian continental ancestry group social network health status social interaction Humans ethnology Hispanic Americans Surveys and Questionnaires United States social status migrant psychology Black person Adolescent California Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants semi structured interview female African Continental Ancestry Group Behavior questionnaire cultural factor race community participation standards Article social participation adult utilization patient attitude community living low income population ethnicity Patient Acceptance of Health Care empowerment ethnic minority Power (Psychology) Health Services Accessibility health care delivery immigrant population

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84958259431&doi=10.1016%2fj.socscimed.2016.02.003&partnerID=40&md5=b412d78db3971a7b1986051a6c2da1f0

DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.02.003
ISSN: 02779536
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English