National initiative to address covid-19 health disparities among populations at high-risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities - with funding and…

National initiative to address covid-19 health disparities among populations at high-risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities - with funding and technical support from the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), dhss and its partners will increase capacity and services to prevent and control covid-19 infection (or transmission) among high-risk populations that are underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural communities. Racial and ethnic minority groups comprise approximately 20% of missouri?s population, and 37% of the state?s citizens live in rural communities. While addressing covid-19-related health disparities and advancing health equity, the proposed activities support the achievement of one or more key outcomes -- (1) reduced covid-19-related health disparities, (2) improved and increased testing and contact tracing, and (3) control covid-19 infection/transmission. The infrastructure-building, service delivery, and partner-mobilizing activities are organized in 6 broad categories:?community-tailored approaches. Equip community-based, faith-based organizations and lphas to implement tailored strategies that promote mitigation and prevention resources and services (e.g., testing, vaccination), advance health equity, and address social determinants of health- related to covid-19. ?homelessness. Improve facilities to address housing and food security and connect clients to resources for testing, contact tracing, and vaccine administration. ?mental health status of youth. Support mental health needs of youth in rural and minority communities to address short and long-term consequences of covid-19, especially its impact on widening gaps in health disparities. ?access to primary care. Expand access to primary medical care in underserved communities.?workforce development. Increase leadership skills and capacity of missouri?s public health workforce to address health equity and respond to the covid-19 pandemic. ?communications. Translate and communicate tailored messages for UN derserved populations to promote mitigation and prevention resources and services (e.g., testing, vaccination) and reduce covid-19 related health disparities. Dhss is committed to a thorough evaluation of activities to support quality improvement and satisfy all reporting requirements of state and federal stakeholders. A contracted covid-19 health disparities program office team will coordinate technical assistance under the direction of dhss leadership.