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.

Engaging with Communities – Lessons (Re)Learned from COVID-19

Michener, L., Aguilar-Gaxiola, S., Alberti, P.M., Castaneda, M.J., Castrucci, B.C., Harrison, L.M., Hughes, L.S., Richmond, A., Wallerstein, N.

Release Date:

Peer Review Study

Outreach/ Education/ Communications
Healthcare Access and Quality
Social and Community Context
Tools Included
Outside U.S.
ACCESS RESOURCE
Building

Infrastructure Support

Members of many underserved communities have long seen worse health outcomes, and this has been exacerbated by COVID-19. This article describes certain strategies that health departments, hospitals, universities, service providers, and others have used to engage and partner with members of underserved communities. In Chicago, health departments, hospitals, service providers, and community organizations formed an alliance that met daily to coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness. The Navajo Nation partnered with health departments and hospitals to create a health command center to get aid to people, test and contact trace, and collect funding. An alliance in Albuquerque used community based participatory research (CBPR) to complete strategic planning regarding mitigating COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness. Other cities also used CBPR or saw grassroots efforts to partner wit health departments to increase aid and funding to communities with the greatest need.

Resource Details

Outcomes of Interest

Partnership Building, Reduction of Health Disparities

Priority Population(s)

American Indian, Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Persons, People Experiencing Homelessness

Setting(s) of Implementation

Geographic Area of Implementation

Implementation Period

2020-Present