Addressing COVID-19 Inequities Using Bidirectional Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication and Vaccine Clinic Interventions: A Descriptive Study
Im/migrants (immigrants and migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals without legal documentation) experience unique assets and needs in relation to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is one way to engage im/migrant communities.
BMC Public Health Aug 2023
To address COVID-19 disparities among immigrant and refugee communities in Southeast Minnesota, RHCP developed a two-part intervention: a bidirectional communication strategy and community-based vaccine clinics. Trusted community members, called Communication Leaders, shared culturally adapted health messages through social media and gathered feedback from their networks. These messages were created using a structured process that included input from local health departments and translation into Somali and Spanish. The feedback loop allowed RHCP to relay community concerns to decision-makers, helping shape more inclusive public health policies. Surveys showed that participants found the messaging helpful and felt more motivated to get vaccinated.
In addition to communication efforts, RHCP organized vaccine clinics in familiar community spaces like schools and nonprofit centers. These clinics were designed to be accessible, with flexible scheduling, language support, and simple registration. Over 1,100 vaccines were administered, mostly to Hispanic and immigrant individuals. The initiative demonstrated that community-led approaches can effectively increase vaccine uptake and address health inequities. RHCP’s work highlights the importance of engaging communities as equal partners in public health efforts, especially during crises. Their model offers a blueprint for future health interventions that prioritize trust, cultural relevance, and shared decision-making.
Adaptation of a Bidirectional Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Framework by Community-Engaged Research Partnerships in Rural Mississippi During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Community engagement is important for reaching populations at risk for health inequities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Sciences
A community-academic partnership adapted a successful COVID-19 communication model originally developed by RHCP in Minnesota to support rural African American communities in Mississippi. The intervention focused on building trust and delivering culturally relevant health messages through local Communication Leaders—trusted individuals with strong social ties. These leaders shared information via platforms like Facebook, phone calls, and church services, reaching over 8,400 people in three counties. Listening sessions helped shape the messaging, ensuring it addressed local concerns and misinformation. The approach emphasized two-way communication, allowing community members to ask questions and influence public health decisions.
The adapted model was found to be feasible, effective, and scalable, with strong community support and relatively low startup costs. However, sustainability remains a concern due to limited institutional backing. The intervention demonstrated how engaging communities directly - especially those historically marginalized, can improve public health messaging and policy responsiveness. By centering community voices and tailoring strategies to local contexts, the project offers a blueprint for future pandemic preparedness and health equity efforts.
Experiences of Hispanic Safety Net Clinic Patients With Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The inequitable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States resulted in substantial loss of life in Hispanic communities. Life expectancy among US Hispanics declined 3 years, the most of any race/ethnicity subgroup, from 2019 to 2020. Although COVID-19 led to a majority of this decline (90%), diabetes was noted as the third leading cause of increased deaths, behind unintentional injuries.
The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care 2022
Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes faced major challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including financial strain, reduced access to medical care, and increased stress. Many participants lost jobs or insurance, struggled to afford food and medications, and experienced anxiety about attending clinic visits. Despite these hardships, most maintained their diabetes self-care routines. While physical activity and healthy eating declined for some, overall diabetes management behaviors remained stable. Participants reported low levels of COVID-related anxiety, even though many had family members who were infected.
Measures of diabetes self-efficacy and quality of life improved during the pandemic. People felt more confident in managing their condition and reported better emotional and physical well-being. However, outpatient visits for diabetes care decreased, especially with primary care and behavioral health providers. The study highlights the resilience of Hispanic patients who continued to prioritize their health despite systemic barriers. It also underscores the need for culturally responsive support systems that address both medical and social needs during public health crises.
Pilot Social Network Weight Loss Intervention With Two Immigrant Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Immigrants often arrive to the United States (US) at a healthier weight compared to the general US population, but these healthy weight advantages disappear over time, and the rates of obesity, with associated complications, rise.
American Journal of Health Promotion 2022
During the COVID-19 pandemic, RHCP piloted a weight loss program for Somali and Hispanic immigrant communities in southeastern Minnesota. Lay health promoters from each community led small social network groups through a 12-week intervention focused on improving diet, physical activity, and overall health. The program began with in-person sessions but quickly shifted to virtual formats due to pandemic restrictions. Despite the change, all 39 participants completed the program, showing strong engagement and trust in their group leaders. Participants reported feeling more motivated and confident in making healthy choices, and they appreciated the culturally tailored support and peer accountability.
The intervention led to measurable health improvements, including weight loss, lower blood pressure, and better cholesterol levels. Participants also increased their intake of fruits and vegetables and doubled their physical activity. Focus groups revealed that shared language, cultural understanding, and strong social connections were key to the program’s success. Challenges included time constraints, cultural expectations around food, and adapting to virtual formats. Still, the program’s flexibility and emphasis on social support helped overcome these barriers. The pilot suggests that using trusted community members to lead health interventions within existing social networks is a promising strategy for promoting wellness in immigrant populations.
Community-Engaged Bidirectional Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication With Immigrant and Refugee Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) frameworks encourage public participation in pandemic prevention and containment, but effective implementation depends, in part, on reaching populations with a history of health disparities and limited access to culturally and linguistically tailored health information.
SAGE Publishing and Public Health Reports 2022
During the COVID-19 pandemic, RHCP adapted a crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) framework to support immigrant and refugee communities in southeast Minnesota. Communication leaders from six ethnic groups delivered messages in seven languages using platforms like social media, phone calls, and texts. These messages focused on prevention, testing, and the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Leaders also gathered feedback from their communities, which helped refine messages and inform local policies. Over nine months, the intervention reached nearly 40,000 people and was seen as credible, timely, and culturally relevant.
The program’s success was rooted in trust, collaboration, and real-time responsiveness. Communication leaders felt empowered and supported, and their efforts led to tangible changes, such as improved access to resources and adjustments to regional health policies. RHCP’s long-standing partnership and commitment to community engagement made the intervention sustainable beyond initial funding. The experience showed that bidirectional communication—where information flows both to and from communities—is essential for effective public health messaging, especially in times of crisis.
The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States.
Minority groups are disproportionately affected by chronic medical conditions and lower access to healthcare that may portend worse COVID-19 outcomes. Furthermore, minority communities are more likely to experience living and working conditions that predispose them to worse outcomes.
Clinical Infectious Diseases Feb 2021
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on racial and ethnic minority communities in the U.S., including African American, LatinX, and Native American populations. These groups have experienced significantly higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death compared to white populations. The disparities stem from a combination of biomedical factors—such as higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension—and social determinants of health, including poverty, limited access to healthcare, and unsafe working and living conditions. Many minorities work in essential jobs without the option to work remotely or access to paid sick leave, increasing their exposure to the virus.
Beyond individual health risks, structural racism plays a major role in these disparities. Historical policies like redlining and ongoing inequities in housing, employment, and healthcare access have created environments that make it harder for minority communities to stay healthy. Clinicians are encouraged to provide equitable care, advocate for systemic change, and build partnerships with community organizations to support vulnerable populations. Addressing implicit bias and improving communication with marginalized groups are also key steps toward reducing health disparities and promoting long-term equity in healthcare.
Emergency Preparedness and Risk Communication Among African American Churches: Leveraging a Community-Based Participatory Research Partnership COVID-19 Initiative
Partnerships with faith-based organizations are pivotal in rapidly engaging with racial/ethnic minority populations, who are often socially and economically marginalized and medically underserved, to address public health crises.
Preventing Chronic Disease Dec 2020
To help African American communities during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FAITH! program partnered with 120 churches across Minnesota to share accurate health information and emergency resources. Using a framework from the CDC, they created a culturally tailored communication strategy that included daily Facebook posts and weekly emails. These messages covered spiritual and physical wellness, COVID-19 prevention, financial support, and social connection. The initiative reached over 6,500 people on Facebook and an estimated 12,000 through email, helping churches form emergency preparedness teams and distribute trusted information quickly.
Church leaders and community messengers found the approach useful, empowering, and easy to manage. Interviews showed that the program improved emergency readiness and built trust in FAITH! as a reliable source. The effort also helped dispel myths and misinformation, especially through real-time updates and community feedback. By leveraging existing relationships and technology, the initiative demonstrated how academic-community partnerships can respond rapidly and effectively to public health crises in underserved populations.
Leveraging Community Engaged Research Partnerships for Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication to Vulnerable Populations in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Crisis and emergency risk communication frameworks are currently being applied in the public health response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to encourage public participation in disease containment. Common principles of these frameworks are to be correct, credible and respectful, to promote action and to engage with communities in order to empower decision making.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science May 2020
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, RHCP launched a community-led communication effort to reach immigrant and refugee communities in Rochester, Minnesota. Recognizing that official health messages weren’t reaching people with limited English proficiency, RHCP worked with trusted community members—called Communication Leaders—to share accurate information in six languages. These leaders used platforms like Facebook, phone calls, and messaging apps to deliver updates about COVID-19 prevention, testing, and social and economic impacts. In just 14 days, 24 Communication Leaders reached nearly 10,000 people, tailoring messages to their communities and gathering feedback to improve future communication.
The project’s success came from strong relationships, cultural understanding, and daily collaboration between community and academic partners. Communication Leaders felt empowered and found the messages relevant and helpful. Their feedback helped RHCP adjust messages in real time and connect people to resources like food and masks. The effort also influenced local health policies, such as testing procedures. This approach showed that when trusted community members lead the way, health messages can be more effective, especially in reaching vulnerable populations during a crisis.