Examining Health Information Sources and Access among Hispanics in the US Midwest during the Last Pandemic Era

Objective Identify how Hispanics in the US Midwest access health information to best promote and disseminate health information among Hispanics in a post-pandemic era. Background Across the nation, significant racial and ethnic disparities persist in the prevalence and mortality rates associated with COVID-19. This disparity was particularly pronounced in the Midwest region, exemplified by the summer of 2020 when Hispanics comprised 48% of the total reported COVID-19 cases in the largest county of the state. Health education information enhances health outcomes by increasing health knowledge and empowering individuals to make informed decisions and adopt healthier behaviors. However, there remains to be more data concerning how Hispanics access health information, particularly amidst public health emergencies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study surveying Spanish-speaking Hispanics, examining how they accessed COVID-19 information during critical times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was drawn from Hispanic adults accessing services at the Mexican Consulate in Nebraska. Input from Hispanic community members and the local Mexican Consulate was included in developing the questions. Counts and percentages were used to summarize responses. Results A total of 307 individuals participated in our study. Over half of the participants indicated that they did not have health insurance. Our findings show that our participants rely on television and social media as their primary sources for seeking health information. Regarding social media, Facebook ranked first, followed by YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Twitter/X. About 60% seek health information from Mexican media sources. Lack of time, cost, and language ranked the main barriers to accessing health information. Implications This study highlights the significant influence of Spanish-language television and social media in disseminating health information to Hispanics in the US, notably during public health crises. Our findings underscore the need to enhance the utilization and effectiveness of these communication channels within the healthcare sector. Ensuring adequate training for healthcare professionals to engage effectively via television and social media platforms is vital.