School of Community Health and Policy, Prevention Sciences Research Center, Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD, 21251, USA.
Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, Morgan CARES Community Engagement Core, Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD, 21251, USA.
BMC Public Health. 2023 Apr 6;23(1):659. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15479-0.
Vulnerable communities are susceptible to and disproportionately affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the challenges faced, perceptions, lessons learned, and recommendations of the organizations that provide services in response to COVID-19 to vulnerable communities is critical to improving emergency response and preparedness in these communities.
This study employed GIS mapping to identify the needs and assets that exist in communities in Baltimore City, where vulnerabilities related to social determinants of health and the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic were greatest. We also conducted an online survey between September 1, 2021, and May 30, 2022, to assess the COVID-19-related services provided by local organizations, challenges faced, perceptions, lessons learned, and recommendations to inform policies, programs, and funding related to improving the COVID-19 response in underserved communities. The survey was disseminated through the online Kobo Toolbox platform to leaders and representatives of organizations in Baltimore City.
Based on GIS mapping analysis, we identified three communities as the most vulnerable and 522 organizations involved in the COVID-19 response across Baltimore City. 247 surveys were disseminated, and 50 survey responses were received (20.24% response rate). Out of these organizations, nearly 80% provided services in response to COVID-19 to the identified vulnerable communities. Challenges experienced ranged from funding (29%), and outreach/recruitment (26%), to not having access to updated and accurate information from local officials (32%).
This research highlights critical insights gained related to the experiences of vulnerable populations and suggests ways forward to address challenges faced during the emergency response by providing recommendations for policy and program changes. Furthermore, the findings will help better prepare vulnerable communities for public health emergencies and build more community resilience.
弱势社区容易受到 COVID-19 大流行的影响，且受到的影响不成比例。了解为弱势社区提供服务的组织在应对 COVID-19 时所面临的挑战、看法、经验教训和建议，对于改善这些社区的应急响应和准备工作至关重要。
本研究采用地理信息系统 (GIS) 制图来确定巴尔的摩市社区存在的需求和资产，这些社区存在与健康社会决定因素相关的脆弱性和 COVID-19 大流行负担最大。我们还在 2021 年 9 月 1 日至 2022 年 5 月 30 日期间进行了在线调查，以评估当地组织提供的与 COVID-19 相关的服务、所面临的挑战、看法、经验教训和建议，以为改善服务不足社区的 COVID-19 应对工作提供政策、计划和资金方面的信息。该调查通过巴尔的摩市在线 Kobo Toolbox 平台分发给组织的领导人和代表。
根据 GIS 制图分析，我们确定了三个最脆弱的社区和巴尔的摩市参与 COVID-19 应对的 522 个组织。共分发了 247 份调查，收到了 50 份调查回复（20.24%的回复率）。在这些组织中，近 80%的组织向确定的弱势社区提供了 COVID-19 应对服务。所经历的挑战包括资金（29%）、外展/招募（26%）以及无法从当地官员那里获得最新和准确的信息（32%）。
这项研究强调了从弱势人群的经验中获得的关键见解，并提出了应对应急响应中面临的挑战的方法，为政策和计划的改变提供了建议。此外，这些发现将有助于更好地为弱势社区应对公共卫生紧急情况做好准备，并增强社区的韧性。
