dbGaP Study Accession: phs002582

NIH Institute/Center: NIMH

RADx Data Program: RADx-UP

DOI: 10.60773/1qmd-nt62

Release Date: 08/30/2023

Study Description: Black communities in the US are experiencing three converging public health crises: COVID-19, systemic racism, and community and police violence. Black Americans are significantly less likely to receive a needed COVID-19 test and have higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death than white Americans. Additionally, Black communities have experienced a surge in gun violence in 2020 and continue to be victims of police harassment and violence, resulting in large-scale social justice demonstrations. The convergence of these epidemics has created a syndemic, wherein racism, violence, and COVID-19 cluster in predominantly Black and low-income communities. This study aimed to characterize this syndemic to understand how personal and systemic racism and violence in Black communities may influence COVID-19 testing decisions. This mixed-method study with Black residents of Chicago, IL resulted in community-driven recommendations to enhance COVID-19 testing and prevention strategies and address this emerging syndemic. The potential mediating pathways of medical mistrust, psychological trauma and stress, and economic injustice were examined in this study. Additionally, a strengths-based approach was taken to understand potential protective factors including neighborhood cohesion, social support, and access to health care. The specific aims of the study were to: 1) Qualitatively examine how experiences of racial discrimination, community violence, and police violence influence trust in, and engagement with, healthcare systems and contribute to decisions around COVID-19 testing and mitigation strategies (e.g., social distancing) among Black individuals in Chicago (N=S0); 2) Quantitatively assess the prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 testing among Black residents in Chicago (N = 500) and characterize the COVID-19, racism, and violence syndemic; and 3) In partnership with a Community Advisory Council, use an integrative translational workshop approach and intervention mapping techniques to develop community and data-driven recommendations and an intervention blueprint for local health departments, researchers, and public health organizations to improve COVID-19 testing among Black Americans. This study resulted in policy and research recommendations, community resources, and a 'shovel-ready' intervention blueprint to enhance COVID-19 testing and address this emerging syndemic.

Updated Date: 04/17/2024

Principal Investigator: Quinn, Katherine G

Has Data Files: Yes

Study Domain: Pandemic Perceptions or Decision-Making; Social Determinants of Health; Testing Rate or Uptake

Data Collection Method: Interview or Focus Group; Survey

Keywords: Testing Disparities

Study Design: Mixed Methods

Multi-Center Study: No

Data Types: Behavioral; Psychological; Questionnaire or Survey; Social

Study Start Date: 11/01/2020

Study End Date: 10/31/2022

Species: Human

Estimated Cohort Size: 500

Study Population Focus: Adults; African Americans; Lower Socioeconomic Status (SES) Populations; Older Adults or Elderly; Racial or Ethnic Minorities; Underserved or Vulnerable Populations

Acknowledgement Statement: This study was supported through funding, 3R21MH122010-02S1, for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as part of the RADx-UP program. We would like to thank our Community Advisory Council (CAC), who provided guidance and leadership throughout the study. We would also like to acknowledge the work of our team at the Center for AIDS Intervention Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) in Chicago. Finally, we extend our gratitude to our study participants in Chicago who were willing to share their stories and trust us with sensitive information about their lives. Approved users should acknowledge the provision of data access by dbGaP for accession phs002582.v1.p1, and the NIH RADx Data Hub. Approved users should also acknowledge the specific version(s) of the dataset(s) obtained from the NIH RADx Data Hub.

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-MH-20-201

NIH Grant or Contract Number(s): 3R21MH122010-02S1

Consent/Data Use Limitations: General Research Use