Danielle Greene, PRI Chief Operating Officer for CUNY SPH, coauthored a new article published in Public Health titled Insights from stakeholders in Sydney’s diverse ethnic communities during the COVID-19 Delta phase. The study examines how culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Greater Sydney were impacted by the COVID-19 Delta wave and how health and social services responded.
Key findings include:
- Mixed Messaging: CALD communities reported confusion due to inconsistent public health guidance between federal and state levels, which eroded trust and hampered vaccine rollout.
- Misinformation and Disinformation: Community leaders struggled to counter antivaccine narratives, especially in Arabic-speaking communities where fear of backlash limited public health advocacy.
- Cross-Cultural Misunderstandings: Terms like “household” were interpreted differently across cultures, complicating efforts to apply restrictions effectively.
The study also highlights community-driven solutions, including:
- Collaborations between government and community organizations to create translated health materials;
- Mobile vaccination clinics at cultural events and religious centers;
- Telehealth outreach and social media strategies tailored to isolated and underserved populations.
The authors recommend building sustainable CALD-informed communication systems before future health crises. Read the full article at Public Health.