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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
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, and Tufts Health Plan Foundation partnered with FSG to conduct interviews and secondary research of COVID-19 lessons and recommendations framed for three key audiences: organizations, partnerships and collaborations, and funders and policymakers. This research was conducted in six communities in Massachusetts, and identifies key themes and strategies to lift up based on real-world activities implemented during the pandemic. Findings emphasize the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on older adults across a broad range of social, economic, and health factors, and effective strategies for supporting older adults are outlined such as direct communication and flexible services. Gaps are also identified across each of the findings, indicating where there is room for improvement and community strengthening. Lessons and recommendations are also clearly outlined by audience, with clear suggestions for implementing effective strategies to support older populations in various community settings.
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 study discusses how a team of public health researchers and legal scholars with expertise in racial equity used systematic policy surveillance methods to develop a comprehensive database of state laws that are explicitly or implicitly related to structural racism, with the goal of evaluating their effects on health outcomes among marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
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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Peer Review Study
The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community experienced high COVID-19 case rates by April 2020, in addition to chronic diseases and socioeconomic disparities, so NHPI networks were mobilized to address the crisis, and a COVID-19 Response, Recovery and Resilience team was created. The team consists of multiple committees that examine policy; testing, contact tracing, and isolation; communications; social supports and resources; and data and research. This article discusses the development of a cultural framework to guide culturally informed advocacy efforts to ensure an appropriate response and recovery plan for NHPI that extends beyond COVID-19 to addressing longstanding NHPI disparities.
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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Summary Report/Recommendations
This article discusses the negative health impacts of isolation in older populations, while realizing the dangers of COVID-19 exposure with in-person interactions. Isolation and social support indexes, such as the Duke Social Support Index, are outlined as possible tools to create awareness of individuals’ risks. Additionally, some possible interventions to help address isolation, such as interventions like PEARLS, which is designed to increase social support and decrease isolation and loneliness.
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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Summary Report/Recommendations
The authors identify strategies and approaches for creating culturally resonant health promotion interventions in partnership with Native communities, drawing on lessons learned from five community-based Native health intervention studies. The practice strategy this article is focused on is community-based, culturally resonant health promotion. Adaption of these strategies will be required for interventions specific to COVID-19 mitigation.
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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Summary Report/Recommendations
In this report, the authors evaluate health equity across race and ethnicity, both within and between states, to illuminate how state health systems perform for Black, White, Latinx/Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations.
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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White Paper/Brief
This paper serves as a foundational look into how structural racism and social determinants of health impact communities of color — particularly Black and Latino communities — in Massachusetts. This document uses local Massachusetts and national data sources to examine multiple factors for health inequities among racial minorities within the state. The primer covers demographic profiles, social drivers of health, access to coverage and care, service utilization, health outcomes, and the disparate impact of COVID-19 with infographics across multiple areas of health.