2.N. Skills building seminar: Culturally-informed public health approaches for meaningful engagement and community benefit

Abstract Public health surveillance involving Indigenous and racial/ethnic minority communities has historically followed extractive models that prioritize researcher objectives over community needs. This workshop addresses the need to transform practices by developing culturally relevant public health data approaches that better serve minoritized communities. The workshop brings together experts from Indigenous health and community-informed research to explore how public health data collection can shift from extractive to relational approaches to provide tangible benefits to minoritized communities. Our objective is to build skills and awareness among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who seek more ethical and culturally grounded approaches to public health data collection. The coherence of this workshop lies in its progressive exploration of key themes: beginning with a foundational discussion of Indigenous health training programs in the United States, then examining limitations of standard public health surveillance approaches among minoritized communities, before showcasing culturally-grounded approaches and facilitating discussion on practical application. The workshop adds value by addressing gaps in mainstream methodological approaches. Adding community-informed survey questions (such as cultural activities and diet) to data collection activities is a first step to better serving minoritized populations. Conventional approaches often fail to capture important cultural dimensions of health among minoritized communities. We also provide concrete examples of instruments specifically developed with minoritized populations, with examples from North American Indigenous populations. This examination extends to potential adaptations for European contexts, particularly for Sami and Romani populations. The 60-minute workshop follows a structured format: Part 1 (10 minutes): Overview of Indigenous health training programs in the United States, and their responsiveness to community needs. Part 2 (10 minutes): Presentation on the limitations of standard public health surveillance for minoritized populations in Europe and the United States. Part 3 (15 minutes): Examination of culturally-informed approaches, including how these approaches reflect diverse worldviews and support community wellbeing, with comparison to mainstream practices. Part 4 (25 minutes): Interactive session with small group discussions followed by collective dialogue on adapting culturally appropriate surveillance tools for minoritized populations in European settings. This interactive workshop is designed for public health professionals committed to ethical engagement with minoritized communities. Participants will gain insights into developing culturally relevant public health approaches while building connections with others committed to transforming public health practice from extractive to reciprocal models that center minoritized communities. Key messages • Public health data collection should transform from extractive models to culturally-informed methods that prioritize racial/ethnic minority community needs rather than focus on researcher objectives. • Guidance is provided for developing and implementing culturally-grounded public health approaches that better capture cultural dimensions of health among minoritized populations.