Using a Decolonizing Research Method to Address Underrepresentation and Health Disparities of Filipinx/a/o Americans: The Importance of Kuwentuhan as a Research Method.

This article focuses on kuwentuhan, an indigenous Filipino oral storytelling method, and its application as a culturally responsive qualitative research approach within Filipinx/a/o American (FilAm) public health studies. Kuwentuhan fosters kapwa (shared identity) through collaborative story sharing, enabling researchers to explore health behaviors and outcomes in the context of U.S. colonialism and diaspora experiences. The method emphasizes four key elements: embodying kapwa (person-first relational approach), collective storying and memory, co-producing knowledge, and generational language use, including Tagalog and other Philippine languages. Case studies demonstrate kuwentuhan’s role in addressing mental health, resilience during COVID-19, adolescent suicide prevention, sexual and reproductive health, community health education, and policy advocacy, highlighting its importance in building trust and culturally grounded knowledge within FilAm communities. The article also discusses ethical considerations, limitations related to cultural knowledge and community connections, and calls for integrating kuwentuhan with Western research frameworks to advance health equity for Filipinx/a/o populations.