Voices and Images: Tuberculosis Photovoice in a binational setting
Abstract

Every minute, four people die from tuberculosis and 15 more become infected worldwide, despite available inexpensive treatment. Due to geographical, social, and economic characteristics, the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez Border area shows elevated tuberculosis (TB) incidence. 'Photovoice' is a Participatory Action Research (PAR) strategy that provides cameras to disenfranchised populations affected by a particular health problem (e.g. TB). In the current paper, we present findings from the first ever border binational Photovoice project aimed at 'spreading the word, not the disease' by increasing TB awareness, cross-border collaboration, and treatment adherence. Evidence of the program's effectiveness include public commitments from 25 local and national (U.S. and Mexican) decision- and policy-makers to address TB in the border area, development of a "Call to Action" to eliminate TB, and presentation of an exhibit displaying participants' photographs and stories to over 3,600 people on more than 25 occasions in the first year of the project. The case study provides an example of the utilization of photography as a communication tool, and how it can empower those affected by a health problem.