Our new study examining proxy information seeking behaviors of Spanish-speaking Latinos has been published in Health Promotion Practice. Information intermediaries/proxies mediate between the linguistically isolated and health care providers. This study characterizes the information needs of surrogate callers and their subjects to a U.S.-based Spanish-language radio health program. We conclude that information-seeking surrogates (proxies) may represent a useful strategy for linguistic minorities to overcome structural and individual barriers to health information access. Results suggest that leveraging Latinos’ natural familial social networks/willingness to share information may improve dissemination of culturally and linguistically appropriate health information. Further implications for patient activation and doctor–patient communication are discussed. You may access the full article here.

Two great events last week focused on Latinos in the Media.

A standing-room-only crowd of students, faculty, staff, and community members showed up to watch Merced's first public screening of the film Latinos Beyond Reel on January 28. I moderated a lively discussion about what effects these representations have, and what it might take to change Latino representation in film and popular media.

Dr. Federico Subervi from Kent State University spoke about who makes the news and how Latinos and Latino issues are systematically excluded from the mainstream media.