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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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Peer Review Study
This article describes an emergency preparedness strategy within an existing community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership among African-American churches to disseminate accurate COVID-19 information: The FAITH! (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health) program, an academic–community partnership between Mayo Clinic and local African American churches. The authors were guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication framework to conduct a needs assessment, distribute emergency preparedness manuals, and deliver COVID-19–related messaging among African-American churches via electronic communication platforms. A needs assessment showed that the top 3 church emergency resource needs were financial support, food and utilities support, and COVID-19 health information CBPR partnerships leveraged to promote emergency preparedness and communicate risk among under-resourced communities during a pandemic.
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.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
The West Greenville Health Council (WGHC) engaged and activated a 27-member organizational partnership network for COVID-19 health communication and personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution in African American communities in Eastern North Carolina. Outreach included (1) local production and dissemination of culturally relevant safety videos; (2) risk, prevention, and safety postcard messages; (3) virtual forums; and (4) PPE kit distribution via the network and their distribution venues. Communication mediums included social media posts, network email distribution lists, and postcards distributed along with PPE kits. An online survey was used to gain insights on community perceptions of COVID-19 safety barriers and media messages. The activation of the network as an approach for rapid response to an emerging public health crisis greatly expanded the reach of the WGHC. The WGHC is working to institutionalize the network to address future emerging health threats, as well as the dissemination of health information more generally.
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 case study outlines how Lake County Health Department (LCHD) in Illinois created a health equity team whose job included facilitating relationships with community and agency partners. The case study includes examples of how the team created tools to increase awareness within LCHD of the impact of social determinants on health. For the team, LCHD specifically prioritized candidates who had lived experience in historically vulnerable communities and those who were used to multicultural bridging.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
The article presents strategies of how Durham County Department of Public Health operationalized equity into multiple phases of its COVID-19 response through infrastructure changes and how to apply these methods to future public health emergencies to better serve vulnerable populations. This response relied upon robust data collection of demographic data to identify inequities. Infrastructure changes included standing up multiple COVID-19 Task Forces (Homeless, Community, Food Security, African American) and Strike Teams (Long-Term Care Facility, Clusters) targeting vulnerable populations; placing testing sites in targeted locations; collaborating with multisector and community partners for feedback; and providing Health Ambassadors for in-person dissemination of COVID-19 information. The paper reviews results from these interventions and lessons learned.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article reviews systemic factors affecting low income immigrant communities during COVID-19 and provides recommendations strategies to improve public health infrastructure using the Public Health 3.0 concept. This high-risk community represented a large portion of essential workers, who even before the pandemic faced less access to health care and were structurally marginalized. The authors discuss equity strategies including prioritizing COVID-19 public relief funds and allocating testing and vaccines to these communities. The paper also reviews how to improve public health infrastructure to mitigate disparities immigrant communities face by addressing social determinants of health, communicating about and structuring policies and programs that do not require identification, engaging cross-sector stakeholders, and developing tools to collect relevant, appropriate data.
Novel Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and are in the process of generating evidence of effectiveness or may not yet be tested.
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Key Informant Interview
The director of the Black Hawk County Public Health Department in Iowa shares her thoughts on best practices for community engagement and public health leadership in this Q and A with The Kresge Foundation. The conversation is geared towards her experiences dealing with a highly segregated community and varying needs during COVID-19.
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 report describes how health departments are uniquely positioned to serve as experts and advisors in community health issues, and can provide key information to underline existing disparities. They are also positioned to coordinate partnerships between different sectors, play an advisory role in decision-making, and ensure investment efforts are aligned with Community Health Assessments and Community Health Needs Assessments, and that these efforts truly advance health equity. Public health departments have expertise on potential government sources of funding and have experience in community engagement.
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
Community power building organizations (CPBOs) can help support community engagement activities and drive policy change. This report outlines why health departments should collaborate with CPBOs and effective ways to work together. It includes findings from state and local departments who have worked with CPBOs to reform how decisions are made and help improve outcomes related to health equity. The findings include building power by inviting CPBOs to decision-making tables, scheduling regular meetings with CPBOs to build stronger relationships, and/or working with CBPOs to create strategies to advance health-promoting policies.