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Established Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by previous studies that are consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
Researchers conducted a series of interviews with administrators from 40 different nursing homes across the US between July 2020 and December 2021 to better understand their experiences amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviewees described the adverse effects of the pandemic on the physical and mental health of the residents in their facilities as restrictions around visitation, socializing, and communal dining created isolating, inactive conditions. Administrators also expressed concerns for the longevity of the nursing home industry in the wake of the pandemic and resulting reductions in revenue and pervasive negative perceptions of nursing homes in the media.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Other
This episode from the podcast 99 Percent Invisible reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the American public to a long-standing problem: the disjointed nature of the U.S. health system. Because state and local health departments largely operate independently and use their own data collection and analysis tools, health systems across the country lack standardized data definitions and systems. These inconsistencies made it nearly impossible to collect and analyze comprehensive, standardized data on COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccines administered amid the pandemic. Health experts featured on this episode believe that the pandemic made the need for an overhaul of America’s informatics system very apparent. When rebuilding this system, it’s important to focus on remedying existing inequalities in data collection and classification that in some cases render the health status of certain populations – think Native American communities and other communities of color – completely invisible in the data. By virtue of being small populations, it can be difficult for health departments to collect sufficient and/or statistically significant data on minority communities. Another issue discussed in this episode is the use of broad racial categories like “other,” “multiple races,” or even “Asian American,” which, if not disaggregated, obscures the health status of diverse populations who are grouped under the same category. Without comprehensive and inclusive health data, it’s difficult to identify disparities and implement policies and programming that promote social mobility and health equity.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Peer Review Study
This study conducted interviews with public health professionals from local and state health departments to understand their experiences in providing comprehensive COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. The research identified six themes related to promising practices, including understanding the community and public health context, cultivating relationships, ensuring linguistic and cultural concordance, communicating intentionally, evolving response strategies, and implementing equity measures. These findings aim to inform proactive, community-engaged solutions for public health organizations working with these communities during public health crises, such as COVID-19, to improve collaborations and staff wellbeing.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Implementation Guide
This resource provides guidance on how to care for children in foster care during COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for children in foster care was a challenge due to the changes brought about by social distancing and other measures. Children in foster care may have experienced adversity and trauma, making them more vulnerable to the effects of these changes. To help children in foster care during this difficult time, it is important to stay connected through virtual means, look for signs of stress, establish daily routines, reassure them, seek extra help if needed, have a back-up plan for emergencies, ensure safety and security, maintain family connections through in-person or virtual visits, and weigh the risks of in-person visits based on COVID-19 guidance. It is also essential to take care of oneself as a caregiver.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Peer Review Study
This article examines the association between county-level Black/white residential segregation and COVID-19 vaccination rates. Findings emphasize the need for considering interaction effects and stratified analysis when modeling disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations. Doing so can better inform policies around effective vaccine distribution and outreach.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Case Study
A large school district in Cincinnati partnered with their local health department and children’s hospital to develop mitigation procedures as children returned to school. These mitigation procedures successfully limited school-based spread of COVID-19 by combining best practices in rapid testing, contact tracing, and early isolation. Procedures were regularly revisited and updated in an iterative process to respond to new information and circumstances.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study
Community health workers, sometimes called health navigators, played a key role in the public health response to COVID-19, especially among communities of color. This report describes how the community health workforce can be developed by public health departments and shares findings from a community health worker training program focused on vaccination, prevention, and contact tracing.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Press Release
This press release announces a campaign launched by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment to send texts and emails to parents of children aged 5-11 who are due for their next COVID vaccine. It provides parents with context about the importance of the vaccine. The Colorado Immunization Information System, which was set up prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but now includes COVID-19 vaccinations, is used to identify which children are due for an additional vaccination.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This review of state data collection and reporting practices during the COVID-19 pandemic found inconsistencies and gaps in data collected by race and ethnicity. Improved standardization across the U.S.–which may come in the form of a federally-operated centralized database–would address some of the concerns in data representation of all Americans.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene partnered with 45 businesses or faith-based organizations in the Northeast Bronx to increase COVID-19 and flu vaccine knowledge and uptake in predominantly Black and Hispanic areas. The program disseminated health information through trusted community leaders to address vaccine hesitancy. ZIP codes with higher involvement in the program showed greater increases in vaccination rates.