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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 article discusses a World Health Organization (WHO) Special Initiative focused on reducing health inequities through action on the social determinants of health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Initiative aims to develop models and practices that can be adopted by WHO offices and UN staff to advance health equity. The article notes the importance of addressing structural determinants of health equity, such as institutional rules, policies, culture, and values, and highlights the need for multisectoral action. The Initiative focuses on strengthening knowledge and narratives, promoting action in Pathfinder countries, and enhancing networks of policy champions, academics, health workers, and communities. The strategic actions include strengthening knowledge, supporting community participation, and promoting collaboration for addressing structural determinants of health equity. Themes for action include as reducing precariousness in informal economy employment, improving income and food security, ensuring adequate housing and social services, and guaranteeing employment and sick leave.
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:
Summary Report/Recommendations
This commentary discusses the importance of inclusive health systems strengthening in promoting equity during health emergencies, using the example of disability inclusion in the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the increased risks faced by persons with disabilities during the pandemic and the barriers they encounter in accessing healthcare. It emphasizes the need for accessible and comprehensive health emergency preparedness and response plans that consider the needs of persons with disabilities. It also explores strategies for disability inclusion in COVID-19 responses, such as producing accessible public health information and involving organizations of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Opportunities to strengthen inclusion and equity in COVID-19 responses include equitable access to telehealth and inclusive decision-making processes.
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 the process used by the New York City Health Department to prioritize populations for access to the first round of COVID-19 vaccines. The city’s process was guided by input gathered during five public meetings. During these meetings, participants emphasized the need to prioritize health equity, examining the broad swatch of personal and societal factors that make people more or less susceptible to severe COVID-19 disease.
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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Case Study
This case study of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System highlights effective practices for increasing vaccine uptake among vulnerable populations of veterans. This included targeting outreach to people based on race/ethnicity and the presence of risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease. The VA Puget Sound Health Care System used multiple modalities of communications and collaborated with community leaders in order to increase vaccine rates among people in underserved areas.
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 Public Health-Seattle and King County evaluated its case investigation and contract tracing program for effectiveness and found that contract tracing helped nearly three in four people surveyed stay in isolation. This demonstrates the value of contact tracing and case investigation as a public health tool for 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.
RELEASE DATE:
Summary Report/Recommendations
This report offers recommendations for the care of pregnant women and children following the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes health impacts on pregnant women and young children, including those related to health care and childcare, using a socioecological approach. Recommendations include expanding reimbursement and telemedicine access, making childcare accessible and affordable, and integrating equity considerations into data collection and research.
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:
Case Study
A UK-based program gradually increased physical activity among people suffering from long COVID. Physical activity regimes were established by clinicians and gradually increased in intensity over six weeks. Over the course of the program, significant reductions in episodes of “crashing” and symptoms of breathlessness and headaches were reported by participants.
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:
Summary Report/Recommendations
This article describes the implementation of telemental health services within the Veterans Health Administration before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article identifies strategies the VHA has used to reach hard to reach populations, including unhoused veterans and veterans living in rural communities, and outlines future goals to improve and expand access to telemental health services.
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:
Summary Report/Recommendations
This article provides an overview of existing evidence on the effectiveness of various approaches to remote pediatric health care delivery and identifies areas for further research. The recommendations for further research, in particular, focus on opportunities to address health disparities through remote care strategies such as telemedicine.
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:
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.