A CULTURALLY tailored narrative video may strengthen skin cancer prevention among Spanish-speaking Hispanic outdoor workers.
Skin Cancer Prevention Through Storytelling
A culturally tailored narrative video has been codeveloped to support skin cancer prevention among Spanish-speaking Hispanic outdoor workers, a group facing elevated risk from occupational sun exposure and limited access to tailored educational resources.
The 27-minute video was created through a co-design process involving medical specialists, occupational health experts, national skin cancer prevention organizations, Hispanic outdoor workers, community advisory boards, and the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. The intervention was designed to promote sun protection, skin cancer awareness, and early detection among workers and their families.
Cultural Tailoring and Community Co-Design
Development drew on formative research, health behavior models, and interactive script review. Rather than delivering information through a conventional educational format, the video uses narrative learning to model realistic conversations and decisions around skin cancer prevention.
The story follows Miguel, who is preparing to take ownership of his father’s landscaping business as his father is diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. Alongside his wife, Sofía, Miguel learns about skin cancers, warning signs, and practical prevention steps. The narrative then shows him applying this knowledge to protect his employees and family.
This approach allows skin cancer prevention guidance to be embedded within familiar occupational and family contexts, with the goal of improving relevance, comprehension, and self-efficacy.
Implications for Outdoor Worker Health
The video highlights prevention behaviors, skin cancer warning signs, and the importance of awareness among Spanish-speaking Hispanic outdoor workers. Key engagement strategies included cultural tailoring, story-driven learning, and visual modeling, all intended to make prevention guidance more accessible and actionable.
For clinicians, occupational health teams, and community health partners, the study points to the value of co-designed health communication tools that reflect the lived experiences of the populations they aim to reach. The intervention may help address gaps in skin cancer prevention resources for outdoor workers, although its effectiveness has not yet been established.
Future research should evaluate the video’s acceptability and impact on awareness, knowledge, self-efficacy, and sun-protective behaviors among Spanish-speaking Hispanic outdoor workers and their families.
Reference
Perez D et al. Developing a Culturally Tailored Narrative Video for Skin Cancer Prevention Among Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Outdoor Workers: Co-Design Study. J Particip Med. 2026;18:e89986.
Featured Image: Vane Nunes on Adobe Stock.
