Water Is K'é: Learning from the Navajo Community to Promote Early Child Health

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community-Based Participatory Research
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Replacing sugary drinks with water is crucial for reducing health disparities.
• Beverage habits are influenced by personal, community, and environmental factors, necessitating community input for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To collaborate with community partners in designing an intervention program to promote healthy beverage habits among young Navajo children.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the socioecological model, community-based participatory methods, and strengths-based principles.
• Phase 1 involved multigenerational feedback to understand the cultural significance of water and water quality impacts on choices.
• Phase 2 involved the Water is K'é Community Advisory Group in designing an intervention focused on cultural connection, health literacy, and water access.

Main Results:

• The Water is K'é program was developed through a strong community partnership.
• Community engagement processes, including listening sessions and mini-pilots, are time-intensive but essential for tailoring programs to community needs and interests.

Conclusions:

• Community-driven approaches are fundamental to creating successful health interventions.
• The solutions to persistent health disparities are embedded within the community itself.