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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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Toolkit
The Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response offers guidance on utilizing funding sources like the CARES Act to address homelessness during the pandemic. It aims to conduct emergency measures while planning for recovery. The framework emphasizes racial justice and requires coordination among partners and systems. It is regularly updated and provides tools and resources. For individuals experiencing homelessness, local 2-1-1 hotlines can provide assistance.
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
This article identifies levels of vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among people experiencing homelessness. It gives public health practitioners information on ways to address the relatively higher levels of hesitancy among this population and encourages logistical barriers such as transportation to be addressed as part of a larger strategy.
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, Peer Review Study
Practice strategy involves including unhoused peer ambassadors in outreach plans to encourage vaccination against Covid-19 in homeless encampments/shelters. Peer ambassadors were found to be effective in promoting vaccination among their peers. However, some concerns existed around the ethics of exploiting the trust unhoused PAs had with their communities, as well as apathy and frustration towards the academic and bureaucratic nature of the research study.
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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Case Study
This paper describes how a local public health agency joined a multi-sector community partnership made up of community-based organizations, clinical providers, and peer navigators and others with lived experience of homelessness. Together, this group created a strategic plan to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing homelessness. They prioritized education, increased resource allocation and testing in shelters, and slated housing for those who tested positive or those at increased risk of COVID complications. Most of this work took place in shelters.
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
In June 2020, Northwest Arkansas was a COVID-19 hotspot, with serious racial and ethnic disparities. Existing community-engaged partnerships utilized their collaborative capacity to address COVID-19 disparities in the Latinx and Pacific Islander communities. Eighteen key partners held weekly meetings and regular communication and developed four strategies: (1): health education (prevention, testing, quarantine, and follow-up care) and prevention (communication re: practices to reduce risk); (2) testing; (3) a dedicated contact tracing center with bilingual workers; (4) enhanced case management and supported quarantine.
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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Peer Review Study
This practice traces a 14-year partnership between health institutions and a rural Native Hawaiian community. The partnership began as a single study to study familial cardiomyopathy, then evolved towards a community-based project to improve overall health and wellbeing. As time went on, other institutions and community leaders became involved. The article focuses on the growth of institutional capacity and community service. Lessons learned can serve to engage communities in COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This practice details the use of a classroom based, culturally grounded curriculum to prevent substance use among rural Hawaiian youth. Youth were exposed to the curriculum over a period of 2 years, and although substance use increased among control and intervention groups, the intervention group had significantly smaller increases. The curriculum focuses on resistance skills training for middle school aged youth, using video vignettes of Hawaiian youth engaged in realistic drug-related problem situations. Similar approaches could prove useful when informing Hawaiian youth about COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
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 Rebuilding Neighborhoods Initiative convened community organizers, small business owners, and corporations in the technology and innovation sector to develop community-centered, implementable solutions addressing gentrification and the lack of affordable housing in three greater Boston neighborhoods. Six monthly meetings were held on topics related to affordable housing. Each neighborhood had a team of 5-6 individuals who were developing and committing to shared goals towards equitable development.
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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Summary Report/Recommendations
This article compared community health workers (CHWs) in Indiana and Texas based on the results of two research studies in order to 1) investigate the unique role of CHWs and their Spanish-speaking counterparts, promotores de salud, in rural communities and 2) understand how their advocacy efforts represent a central form of caregiving. An analysis was done of how CHWs connect structurally vulnerable clients in rural areas to resources, health education, and health and social services. CHWs and promotores de salud have acted as first responders to the needs of marginalized rural populations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to health education and translation work, CHWs also play an important role in advocacy, bridging the gap between clients and community leaders. While informing clients of available resources, they empower the clients to advocate for their own needs in different settings. CHWs also have the ability to engage with stakeholders and policy makers in better addressing client needs.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article describes a community-based participatory research initiative based on an existing community–academic partnership. Partners included the University of Arkansas, nonprofit organizations serving the Marshallese and Latinx communities, community-based nonprofit organizations, local hospital systems, a federally qualified health center, the Veteran Health Administration, the Arkansas Department of Health, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands consulate. The partnerships were leveraged to develop and implement the Comprehensive Intervention to Reduce COVID-19 Disparities in Marshallese and Latinx Communities in Benton and Washington counties. The comprehensive intervention consisted of 4 components: (1) health education, (2) testing, (3) contact tracing, and (4) care navigation (case management) for supported quarantine. After implementation of the comprehensive intervention, the proportions of new weekly cases among Marshallese and Latinx residents declined and began to align more closely with the proportions of Marshallese and Latinx community members in the 2 counties.