At Health Equity Solutions we are constantly “talking to strangers” as we cannot assume someone's knowledge, intention, or communication style and often do not initially know where people are on their journey to equity. Our work is also underpinned by the act of translation. In a literal sense, this includes ensuring that information is being disseminated and accessible in multiple languages, as in the case of our Community Assessment Survey, which was made available in Spanish and Haitian-Creole as well as English. As advocates, we are also responsible for translating complex policies into accessible bites of information tailored for various audiences. Cultural humility is an essential component of communication as we start from points of similarity while acknowledging differences, sharing stories, and engaging in dialogue with the ultimate goal of mobilizing collective action for equity. When engaging communities directly impacted by policies, we strive to share information that is relevant to each community’s needs and situation. In this way, we can come together to create change that ensures that every Connecticut resident is able to attain optimal health. |
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