15 - Thriving Communities Empowered by Their Data

Abstract Information: Community voice is a potent catalyst for advancing health equity when empowered with their own data and narratives. Individuals most affected by health disparities can vividly articulate the challenges faced by themselves, their families, and their communities, and are best positioned to drive solutions with autonomy. This poster highlights a collaborative effort at the state level that prioritized ethical and equitable practices to create a data platform stimulating community engagement in developing and sharing their data-driven narratives. Our platform intertwines localized social determinants of health (SDOH) data from Colorado with community-generated stories and resources, enriching the understanding of health dynamics and prevalent inequities across the state. Our research shows that many Colorado communities face health problems mainly because of larger social issues beyond their control. Our Equity Data Navigator (EDN) not only points out these social issues but also links them to health outcomes, helping users grasp the bigger picture. The EDN brings attention to the pervasive impact of systemic racism, an underlying force exacerbating all forms of inequities. Through this posted presentation, we will share insights from our efforts to democratize data and storytelling, fostering broader utilization by community members. We will talk about strategies to bridge data storytelling with actionable outcomes, showcasing how the platform integrates resources, location-specific narratives, partnerships, datasets, and avenues for engagement with local authorities. By narrowing the gap between data-informed narratives and their intended audience, our approach catalyzes community-driven initiatives for tangible change. Come by to explore the power of combining data and storytelling to promote health equity, amplifying community voices and sparking meaningful change.