Listen, Empower, Co-Create: Adapting Boot Camp Translation Methods to Create Culturally Responsive Health Messages...

Community engagement is key to developing culturally responsive public health interventions that resonate with diverse populations and promote health equity.

We applied an adapted version of Boot Camp Translation (BCT), a community-based participatory approach, to develop culturally and locally relevant messaging and materials for diverse populations. This adapted BCT approach focuses on three core themes: (1) Listen, (2) Empower, and (3) Co-Create, or LEC. The LEC method helps community leaders and champions learn from community members about barriers and gaps in health care (listen), share health information in a collaborative way (empower), and develop messages and materials that resonate with and motivate community members to take control of their own health (co-create).

LEC follows a 3 to 4 month process: an in-person session with expert presentations and group discussions, followed by two virtual meetings to share and refine co-created messages and materials.

The LEC approach was successfully conducted in diverse communities, engaging participants in preferred venues like churches, clinics, and tribal centers over 3 to 4 months. Tailored messages resonated with cultural values, while common themes included family and faith. Preferred materials were fact sheets, pamphlets, posters, videos, and visual stories. Participant evaluations showed high satisfaction, comfort sharing opinions, and improved understanding of how to take care of one's health.

The LEC method fosters collective responsibility between community members and researchers to collaboratively address health needs. To support implementation, we offer best practices for LEC application, and customizable materials and guidance tailored to community preferences. This flexible, adaptable approach may enhance effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability of public health efforts across diverse settings.