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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.
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.
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Case Study
The Oregon county with the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the United States began its response in the earliest days of the pandemic. The county’s Emergency Operations Center wanted to center equity in its response and did so by rapidly creating new positions on the team: an Equity Officer, an Equity Technical Advisor, and a Language Access Coordinator. It also established an Equity Team within the center. This allowed responses to quickly identify and respond to population needs, especially those in communities of color experiencing disproportionate impacts of disease spread and burden.
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
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene partnered with 45 businesses or faith-based organizations in the Northeast Bronx to increase COVID-19 and flu vaccine knowledge and uptake in predominantly Black and Hispanic areas. The program disseminated health information through trusted community leaders to address vaccine hesitancy. ZIP codes with higher involvement in the program showed greater increases in vaccination rates.
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, Peer Review Study
This article describes the rapid statewide COVID-19 vaccination strategy implemented by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The strategy focused on equitable distribution and reaching hard to reach populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups and rural communities.
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, Peer Review Study
Practice involves using “get out the vote” (GOTV) outreach strategies, conventionally used in political campaigns, along with mobile pop-up vaccine clinics, to encourage vaccination among marginalized communities.
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:
Case Study
This article summarizes the lessons learned from implementing telehealth in rural environments over the past 3 years and how to expand these efforts in the context of COVID-19. The needs of elderly populations in rural environments are also addressed. It provides 5 strategies for implementing telehealth in this context: (1) Preparation and Training; 2) Standardize and Expedite Credentialing; (3) Technology; (4) Broadband; and (5) Feedback and Rapid Improvement.
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:
Case Study
The Packed Promise intervention sent monthly food boxes and food vouchers to families with children eligible for free school meals in Chickasaw Nation territory in rural Oklahoma. The deliveries themselves were successful and led to modest improvements in children’s fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain consumption, but the intervention did not result in statistically significant reductions in children’s food insecurity. Adult food insecurity was reduced initially, but the reduction was not sustained after 18 months. 2 articles were written to assess Packed Promise’s impacts on food insecurity (Briefel et al.) and fruit/veg consumption (Cabili et al.).
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:
Case Study, Peer Review Study
This was a randomized, quasi-experimental study of an intervention that was implemented among rural and urban populations to encourage online grocery shopping and more nutritious food purchases. The authors targeted rural counties with high poverty rates for recruitment. The results showed that online shopping can improve food shopping habits and accessibility.
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:
Case Study
This case study described a partnership to rapidly deliver food to isolated and quarantined individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in response to a COVID-19 surge in June 2020. An existing community-based participatory research group in Northwest Arkansas utilized diverse partnerships that were possible due to existing relationships established before the pandemic and leveraged to rapidly deploy the food delivery program. This case study demonstrates how this program can serve as a model for other organizations doing similar work.
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:
Case Study
This case study presents the adaptations made to existing infrastructure by the Penn State Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) and Better Together REACH (a community–academic coalition using grant funds from Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) to address the needs of 2 Latinx communities in Pennsylvania due to disparities. Better Together REACH has leveraged strong community collaborations to implement locally tailored practice-based and evidence-based strategies aimed at increasing healthy nutrition programming, physical activity opportunities, and diabetes prevention programs. This initiative brings together more than 60 local organizations that are now working together to break down silos, share a common agenda to address health disparities, and improve community wellness and the quality of life for all their residents. The partnership was leveraged in 2020 for conducting outreach to Latinx communities, developing educational material and resources related to COVID-19 in Spanish, and organizing informational webinars in Spanish.