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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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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.
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Other
The article discusses the challenges and frustrations surrounding Long COVID research in the United States. Despite substantial investments and numerous research efforts, progress in understanding and treating Long COVID has been slow and disappointing. Experts and patient advocates have criticized the research community for its focus on disease development rather than direct patient care, duplication of studies, and a lack of clinical trials. The authors propose a new hypothesis that Long COVID may be a form of post-infectious syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting that traditional biomedical research approaches may not yield meaningful results. Instead, they advocate for a shift towards health services research and measures that directly impact patients’ welfare, including prevention, improved prognosis, access to empathetic care, and quality of life issues. They emphasize the need for collaboration between researchers, patients, and advocacy groups to reset the research agenda effectively.
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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Blog Post
Behind every statistic on health outcomes, there are human beings – people, families, and communities. Data visualizations can often overlook this fact but should seek to honor the lived experience of those impacted in inequitable ways. This post explores ways that justice and personhood can be embedded in data visualizations, such as highlighting individual stories within a larger group to humanize quantitative information for the reader.
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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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.
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 article is an overall summary of long COVID, its risk factors, and ways to address it. Many of the risk factors identified are clinical, yet some management options include self-treatment.
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:
Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This analysis explores regional variation in COVID-19 death rates across America. It unpacks the “two Americas” narrative of some parts of the country having high demand for vaccines and others having widespread vaccine hesitancy, and shows that a divide between rates of exceeds death existed prior to the introduction in vaccines. This difference is likely due to a difference in mask use, social distancing, and other behaviors. Results underscore the importance of excess mortality measures such as wastewater testing to get a more accurate picture.
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:
Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This study analyzes different epidemic models of COVID-19. It demonstrates the variability of models’ ability to predict COVID-19 transmission and outbreak. It advises public health practitioners to exercise caution when formulating public health strategies based on the prediction results of mathematical models due to this variability.
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, Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
This literature review outlines support for mobile health clinics as a successful and cost-effective method of healthcare delivery, especially towards underserved populations. Although financial and logistical challenges exist when implementing mobile health clinics, they ultimately help eliminate common barriers to health access. “Serving as a stepping-stone between the clinic and the community, MHCs are able to address both medical and social determinants of health, and have the potential to play an important role in our evolving healthcare system.”
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:
Evaluation Report, Peer Review Study
The article evaluates the connection between health care workers’ unions and Covid-19 mortality rates in nursing homes. Using regression analysis, the presence of a union were associated with lower Covid-19 mortality rates (30% lower) and infection rates (42% lower) among nursing home residents. Nursing homes with unions saw increased access to N95 respirators and eye shields as well. These results ultimately show that health care worker unionization may better ensure access to appropriate PPE and infection control policies that will protect nursing home residents.
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:
Evaluation Report, Peer Review Study
New York City’s Test & Trace Corps worked to reduce Covid-19 testing inequities by developing a mobile testing program focused on communities disproportionately affected by Covid-19. The model engaged community partners to determine the best methods of outreach and utilized multiple testing strategies. Based on the whether and community needs, free testing was offered outdoors, from vehicles, or at community spaces. Testing was both clinician-administered and patient-administered. Community organizations and organizers facilitated outreach to residents in their neighborhoods. The practice was successful in increasing access to testing, contact tracing, and isolation/aftercare support in these communities.