The Story of the Health Whisperers
The Self-Help Resource Center's Health Whisperers are a group of volunteer lay health promoters who conducted informal research over the summer of 2007 in a variety of neighborhoods in Toronto. They were trying to find out what newcomer women understand about breast health and what they know about the breast cancer resources that are available in Ontario.
The working assumption was that women would have less accurate information about breast health because of the lack of a formal health care system in their countries of origin and because they are still unfamiliar with (and may have barriers in accessing) the Ontario health care system. The Health Whisperers story gathering was informed by a broader understanding of the social determinants of health, community development and peer-based education.
In late November four of the Health Whisperers presented their experiences and made recommendations based on their story gathering. An overview of the project's methodology and the major findings. It was attended by breast screening clinic and public health staff, community development workers, women's health agency staff and college students. Response was extremely positive, with a lively discussion following the presentation.
Download a copy of the report here