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.

Centering Health Equity Within COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Connecticut’s Community Outreach Specialist Program

Johnson, K., Diallo, K., Hennein, R., Shelby, T., Zhou, X., Gupta, A., Ludomirsky, A., Weiss, J.M., Nunez-Smith, M., Soto, K.,

Release Date:

Peer Review Study

Data Collection and Analysis
Policy Change/ Development
Healthcare Access and Quality
Social and Community Context
Tools Included
Outside U.S.
Clipboard

Data Collection and Reporting

The Community Outreach Specialist (COS) program aimed to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among rural communities through targeted outreach efforts. The program trained and deployed community outreach specialists who engaged with community members, provided education about COVID-19 and vaccination, addressed concerns and misconceptions, and facilitated access to vaccination services. The COS program in reaching and engaging with socially vulnerable and medically underserved populations, successfully increasing vaccine acceptance and uptake in these communities by building trust, addressing barriers to vaccination, and tailoring outreach strategies to the local context. The article discusses the importance of community-based approaches, cultural competency, and collaboration with local organizations and leaders in achieving successful vaccine outreach. It also emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccination and to address disparities in vaccine uptake among different populations.

Resource Details

Outcomes of Interest

Reduction of Health Disparities

Priority Population(s)

Non-English Speaking Populations, Vulnerable Populations

Setting(s) of Implementation

Community

Geographic Area of Implementation

Connecticut

Implementation Period

2022