{
  "abstract": "Health literacy is essential for making informed healthcare decisions, yet ethnic minority communities often face disparities due to limited access to culturally relevant information. This qualitative study explores how South Asian and Black communities in the United Kingdom (UK) assess health information credibility, examining cultural influences and expectations. Sixty-eight participants (42 South Asian, 26 Black) were recruited using purposive sampling; data collection involved semi-structured interviews (n = 30) and community observations (n = 38). Findings revealed that cultural expectations shape perceptions of healthcare professionals and health information sources. Trusted sources included personal contacts and social media. Health information lacking personal or culturally relevant content led participants to seek alternative sources. While some credibility-seeking behaviours overlap with those observed in the general population, the unique social, cultural, and historical experiences of these populations shape how and why such behaviours are enacted, resulting in distinct patterns of trust and information use. Providers must recognise these dynamics to create personalised, culturally sensitive resources that enhance trust, health literacy, and equity. Tailored approaches, including trusted intermediaries and relevant communication channels, are crucial, while digital platforms must address misinformation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health, Kingston University, London, United Kingdom",
    "Department of Psychology, Kingston University, London, United Kingdom",
    "Population Health Research Institute, City St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Tushna Vandrevala"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kristin Hanson"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Celayne Heaton-Shrestha"
    },
    {
      "name": "Richard Boulton"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lindsay M. Bearne"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/17q8sxt4cddz2.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0355294",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "17q8sxt4cddz2",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0355294",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3600|Health Literacy and Information Accessibility"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Computer and information sciences/Network analysis/Social networks/Social media"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Ethnic epidemiology"
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      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Communication in health care"
    ],
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Health care providers/Physicians"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Health education and awareness"
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      "/Social sciences/Sociology/Culture"
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      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Sociology/Religion"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Sociology/Social networks/Social media"
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  "openalex": "W7206171350",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0355294&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-02",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/17q8sxt4cddz2.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:02Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0355294",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0355294"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:epidemiology",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Understanding interpretations of credibility, health literacy and health information seeking in Black and South Asian ethnic communities in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study",
  "title_text": "Understanding interpretations of credibility, health literacy and health information seeking in Black and South Asian ethnic communities in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:02Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/17q8sxt4cddz2",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}