Videovoice: community assessment in post-Katrina New Orleans

This study describes a videovoice project implemented in post-Katrina New Orleans during a pivotal time in city rebuilding and revitalization. Videovoice is a health advocacy, promotion, and research method through which people get behind video cameras to research issues of concern, communicate their knowledge, and advocate for change. Using videovoice method, a community-academic-filmmaker partnership engaged 10 Central City neighbors, who took part in an 18-week training and community assessment. The resulting 22-min film premiered before more than 200 city leaders and residents, reached more than 4,000 YouTube viewers during its first 2 months online, and was shared through the distribution of 1,000 DVDs. Viewing further helped mobilize the community for action on three priority issues: affordable housing, education, and economic development. Challenges in using videovoice, including privacy issues and cost considerations in a resource-poor community, are discussed. Despite such challenges, this method may provide community-academic partnerships with the opportunity to equitably engage in research, produce independent media, and mobilize for action.