Culturally Adapting Health Promotion Programs to Latino Families to Counter Child Injury
Disciplines
Health Services Research | Maternal and Child Health | Public Health Education and Promotion
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children 0-5 years in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]). Prevention initiatives, especially those for parents, are a driving force in public health to tackle this issue. However, despite current ongoing education and health prevention programs, disparities between different racial/ethnic groups exist. Within the Hispanic/Latino population, the data show preventable injuries making up three of the top four causes of death among children 0-5 years (CDC, 2025). The step of health promotion which is absent in prevention strategies to parents is examining differences to identify potential disparities and needs. The first aim of this research is to examine the differences between Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino families to identify potential disparities in injury types and rates. The second aim is to identify current culturally tailored home safety programs for Latino/Hispanic families. Data were analyzed descriptively using publicly available U.S. vital statistics and surveillance data 2018-2023; a literature review was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar to identify current home safety/child injury prevention strategies for Hispanic/Latino families. Results of data analysis indicated that 2,913 Hispanic/Latino children 0-5 years died from injuries between 2018 and 2023 (CDC, 2025). Common ground was found in leading cause of death being suffocation among Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino children. The findings from the literature review demonstrated a lack of proper frameworks for cultural adaptations in most public health programs. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating cultural adaptations into existing or new home safety programs for Latino/Hispanic families, as prevention efforts can be more impactful when cultural and linguistic considerations are implemented into programs. Strengthening public health initiatives through cultural adaptations can be utilized to maximize understanding, adaptation, and effectiveness within Latino and Hispanic populations.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Melissa Osborne
Culturally Adapting Health Promotion Programs to Latino Families to Counter Child Injury
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children 0-5 years in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]). Prevention initiatives, especially those for parents, are a driving force in public health to tackle this issue. However, despite current ongoing education and health prevention programs, disparities between different racial/ethnic groups exist. Within the Hispanic/Latino population, the data show preventable injuries making up three of the top four causes of death among children 0-5 years (CDC, 2025). The step of health promotion which is absent in prevention strategies to parents is examining differences to identify potential disparities and needs. The first aim of this research is to examine the differences between Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino families to identify potential disparities in injury types and rates. The second aim is to identify current culturally tailored home safety programs for Latino/Hispanic families. Data were analyzed descriptively using publicly available U.S. vital statistics and surveillance data 2018-2023; a literature review was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar to identify current home safety/child injury prevention strategies for Hispanic/Latino families. Results of data analysis indicated that 2,913 Hispanic/Latino children 0-5 years died from injuries between 2018 and 2023 (CDC, 2025). Common ground was found in leading cause of death being suffocation among Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino children. The findings from the literature review demonstrated a lack of proper frameworks for cultural adaptations in most public health programs. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating cultural adaptations into existing or new home safety programs for Latino/Hispanic families, as prevention efforts can be more impactful when cultural and linguistic considerations are implemented into programs. Strengthening public health initiatives through cultural adaptations can be utilized to maximize understanding, adaptation, and effectiveness within Latino and Hispanic populations.