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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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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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Case Study
This article discusses what can be learned from the response to COVID-19 within the United States-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPIs). Rates of COVID-19 in this region were much lower than those in the mainland US, despite fewer public health resources. The article credits this to strong partnership and collaboration with neighboring islands, the mainland US, and the federal government; strong regional information sharing; creating and nurturing local and regional trust; and trust regionally; and decisive and aggressive quarantine practices.
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.
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 details a year-long, longitudinal cohort study of individuals with schizophrenia to examine COVID-19 hospitalization, mortality, vaccination, and postvaccination infection rates. Results show that individuals with schizophrenia are at an increased risk of hospitalization and mortality and have lower rates of vaccination than the general population. Medical comorbidities also play a significant role in worsening outcomes and mortality for this sub-population.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study looks at survey data from the 2020 U.S. Household Pulse Survey to estimate the associations between state-specific mobility restrictions and well-being across historically excluded groups, including those groups at the intersections of race/ethnicity, sex, and income categorizations. Results found that low-income and African American populations are most likely to be affected by lockdown restrictions, including unemployment, food insufficiency, mental health problems, inaccessibility of medical care, rent or mortgage defaults, and class cancellations.
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 describes the survey results of 33 Black adolescents (ages 12-17) living in Southeastern United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey illustrates stressors and barriers for these teenagers, citing financial issues, access to health care, and increased mental health strain as key issues during the pandemic. These answers could provide context for addressing issues within this population.
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 relationship between changes in health-related socioeconomic risks (HRSRs) and mental health for women ages 18-90 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through a survey that asked questions about any patterns of change in HRSRs (food insecurity, housing instability, interpersonal violence, and difficulties with utilities and transportation). The results found that 40% of women had one or more prepandemic HRSRs, with an increase in HRSRs experience during the pandemic. The odds of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms are two or three times higher among women who reported at least one HRSR.
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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Summary Report/Recommendations
This study uses data from the COVID Tracking Project’s Racial Data Tracker, which aggregates state-level COVID-19 reporting and tracking databases to determine racial/ethnic trends of COVID-19 incidence and evaluate the racial/ethnic distribution of COVID-19 related mortality in the US. Results found that disparities are more apparent at the county and city level, and discusses the importance of transparent, local data in order to allow for greater precision in resource allocation and effective policy changes aimed at reducing disparities. The study includes choropleth maps of the results by state.
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, Key Informant Interview
This case study discusses how Hawaii’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) partnered with state housing services to organize isolation and quarantine services for people experiencing homelessness. This department also focused on substance use disorder and mental illness, so they worked to build partnerships with treatment centers that individuals could enter after quarantine. The BHA has also focused on braiding funding sources between substance use disorder and homelessness efforts to provide more wraparound services and combat the siloization of different departments.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
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.