Trust by Proxy

Cureus. 2023 Nov 20;15(11):e49130. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49130. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed the importance of improving the accessibility of quality public health messaging especially among underserved communities. By establishing a robust communication infrastructure, communities may begin to address the disparities exacerbated by misinformation. In this article, we describe the work done by Worth a Shot, a community-led organization that partnered with trusted, informed county residents; the county residents served as "public health ambassadors" who provided accurate, timely information to their communities in a culturally sensitive approach. This youth-led work may serve as a model for other communities that seek to improve outreach to underserved communities.

Keywords: community engagement; covid-19; misinformation; public health messaging; trust in physician.

Publication types

  • Editorial