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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.
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 article discusses the resilience of Indigenous communities in the Arctic during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing vulnerabilities such as limited access to healthcare and infrastructure, these communities had lower COVID-19 death rates compared to southern regions. The article highlights the importance of Indigenous health-care sovereignty and self-determination in controlling the spread of the virus. Indigenous-led decision-making, community-centered approaches, and cultural relevance played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the pandemic. Recognizing and promoting Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination in healthcare is essential for developing sustainable health-care systems and addressing future health crises.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
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:
Peer Review Study
This study highlights the geographic differences in COVID-19 positivity rates within Los Angeles county, taking into consideration other socio-structural determinants that impact these rates. The data — testing data from the LAC Department of Public Health and American Community Survey data — was analyzed and mapped to include testing rates, race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance status, education, and population/household density. Results found higher COVID-19 positivity rates in communities with higher proportions of Latinx residents, those living below the federal poverty line, and those with high household densities.
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 looks at the association between county-level income inequality and COVID-19 cases and deaths from March 2020 to February 2021. This cohort study used county-level longitudinal data for all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C. Results showed that income equality was associated with higher rates of COVID-19 cases and mortality. Targeting communities with higher rates of income inequality must be considered to lessen the burden of inequality.
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 looks at the association between county-level income inequality and COVID-19 cases and deaths from March 2020 to February 2021. This cohort study used county-level longitudinal data for all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C. Results showed that income equality was associated with higher rates of COVID-19 cases and mortality. Targeting communities with higher rates of income inequality must be considered to lessen the burden of inequality.
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 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.
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.
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 study uses COVID-19 death data by racial/ethnic group and age, along with US Census population data to explore variations in mortality risk by calculating age-specific mortality measures. The results found that minority groups such as non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native populations experience more COVID-19 mortality than White patients, but also experience more years of potential life lost due to racial/ethnic disparities.