Developing Integrated Mobile Applications to Provide Culturally Responsive Support for Minnesota African Diaspora and West African Families Impacted by Ebola Virus Disease

Abstract

In recent years, Minnesota has witnessed a huge influx of immigrants from Africa. According to the 2008 Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy report, Minnesota has become the home of largest population of Somalian in the United States, and the home of the ninth largest population of African immigrants in America. It is estimated that between 70,000 and 80, 000 live in Minnesota. Somalia lead the way with about 37% of the African population followed by Ethiopia, 21%, Liberian, 12%, and Kenyan, 8% (Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy, 2008). Consequently, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has impacted the lives of the Minnesota African Diaspora and their relatives living in Africa. The Minnesota African Taskforce Against Ebola (MATFAE) was created as a result of the strong desire among Africans in the Diaspora to address stigma associated with Ebola in Minnesota and provide needed supports to their relatives in Ebola impacted countries. This paper examines the development of a series of integrated mobile applications designed to foster collaboration between the Minnesota African Diaspora and their counterpart in Africa. The Mobile Apps could allow members of the African Diaspora and international community to engage with the Minnesota African Taskforce Against Ebola (MATFAE) as partners to address emergency preparedness and response issues. Those Apps could also serve as a platform for local and global community dialogues to improve health outcomes in Ebola impacted regions.