Find Resources
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:
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article examines the association between county-level Black/white residential segregation and COVID-19 vaccination rates. Findings emphasize the need for considering interaction effects and stratified analysis when modeling disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations. Doing so can better inform policies around effective vaccine distribution and outreach.
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:
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.
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 study assessed vaccine hesitancy in the United States by looking at Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey data. The study looked at race and ethnicity for individuals who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by June 2021, but also looked at other socioeconomic factors such as access to healthy food, insurance status, and state-level political differences. The results found that while initial race/ethnicity analyses shows Black adults are more likely to not get vaccinated for COVID-19 than White adults, once other social factors were included, these differences were no longer significant. Additionally, insurance status and food insufficiency were not seen as significantly associated with vaccination hesitancy, but political differences does create an impact in overall state vaccination rates.
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 examines growth rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases and mortalities over a 30-day period of the COVID-19 outbreak for each of the 100 largest U.S. cities to determine how racial residential segregation and income inequality contributed to health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data shows the growth curve for cases and mortality rates increases significantly in metropolitan areas where Black and Hispanic people are residentially segregated from White people. The article offers policy implications for making virus-resilient cities that are also health equitable.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study sought to examine perceptions of COVID-19 related to prevention, coping, and testing of African American residents in under-resourced communities in Alabama. Utilizing the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, virtual focus groups were conducted in five urban and rural Alabama communities. The focus groups asked questions about prevention and coping barriers, prevention facilitators, and testing barriers surrounding COVID-19 for these communities. The study finds that addressing downstream determinants might be key in reducing disparities for African Americans, who experience higher rates of health disparities.
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 study describes demographic characteristics and hospital bed capacities of the five New York City boroughs and evaluates whether differences in testing for COVID-19, hospitalizations, and deaths have emerged as a signal of racial, ethnic, and financial disparities. Results showed disparities among the boroughs. Bronx, with the highest proportion of racial/ethnic minorities, the most persons living in poverty, and the lowest levels of educational attainment, had higher rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than the other boroughs.
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 the results of an online survey conducted in Arkansas in July and August 2020 to measure COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. The survey featured questions about COVID-19 health literacy, fear of COVID-19 injection, general trust or mistrust of vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy as they relate to an individual’s sociodemographics. Results found that Black respondents with low socioeconomic status are more likely than White individuals to mistrust the COVID-19 vaccine.