Martinez, GabrielaClark, Kisa2024-08-072024-08-07https://hdl.handle.net/1794/29837In the U.S. and Oregon, Latinx communities have experienced some of the most disparate health, social, and economic consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic due to existing structural and environmental inequities. In the state of Oregon, many Latinx-serving community-based organizations (CBOs), local public health authorities (LPHAs), and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have worked to respond creating culturally appropriate messages to disproportionately impacted Latinx communities during the pandemic and to advocate for critical resources and support. Since LPHAs serve as a direct communication source to local communities and CBOs in addition to acting as intermediaries between state and national health officials, their unique and critical position in public health work warrants distinctive consideration. Drawing from traditional health communication theory, critical and cultural health communication theory, and theorization of structural violence and vulnerability, this dissertation focuses on Oregon’s LPHAs as a case study to respond to questions that examine health communication and community partnerships work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it explores how lessons from the pandemic are informing their ongoing work to improve health equity in the state. The study utilizes a mixed-method approach including critical discourse analysis of health communication materials (i.e. videos, posters, social media posts) from Latinx serving CBOs, LPHAs and OHA during the pandemic, semi-structured participant interviews with LPHA leaders from across the state, and focused insights from participatory observation with one LPHA. The dissertations’ critical discourse analysis reveals that the OHA, LPHAs and CBOs recognized the significant role of various health communication strategies to reach Latinx communities during the pandemic and significant efforts were made to communicate effectively on a wide range of issues. While traditional, individualistic health communication theories were reflected in many health behavior-focused messaging, culture-centered approaches were also widely incorporated to reach highly marginalized community members. Health communication from CBOs suggested the most explicit health activism motivations, especially in the initial stages of the pandemic. Participatory interviews with state LPHA leaders and staff confirmed the importance of effective and clear communication and strong relationships with community partners, including an increase in staffing positions dedicated to this work. Longstanding gaps in public health infrastructure and funding of LPHAs continues to cause challenges and highlights the need for more sustainable funding and improved collaboration with the OHA. Participant observation of Lane County Public Health’s innovative Community Partnership Program and a collaborative multi-phase survey project of Latinx community members serve as key examples of community-driven local public health equity work. The findings of this case study provide recommendations for future public health communication and health equity efforts. It suggests ways in which the public health modernization model should be further fulfilled, community engagement may be improved, the establishment of long-term and sustainable support, more focus on policy and systems, and health communication that enables a cultural shift in our understanding of public health and health equity.en-USAll Rights Reserved.Community PartnershipsCOVID-19Health CommunicationHealth EquityLocal Public HealthElectronic Thesis or Dissertation