The Power of Cultural Validation: A Global Strategy for Combating Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Cultural Validation is a technique that works to increase access and break down barriers for what many policymakers and public health officials identify as “hard to reach populations.” During the COVID-19 Pandemic, policymakers and public health officials often cited “vaccine hesitancy” as a key challenge to reaching vulnerable populations, including immigrants, Spanish-speaking communities, and others who have been marginalized. Yet, community-based programs utilizing “Cultural Validation” techniques demonstrated that barriers to access – not hesitancy – were the true culprits. In fact, public health partnerships, laws, policies and funding that support the full integration of Cultural Validation techniques can ensure vaccine equity across the board. Cultural Validation can be applied to any community, and its success is made possible by four 4 key factors:

• Researching and getting to know people in the community through genuine and authentic relationship-building prior to engagements.
• Developing culturally relevant materials and marketing strategies.
• Hosting events at places that are familiar to the community.
• Providing genuine, authentic care in service delivery