The tennessee covid-19 health disparities initiative - background: coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) has disproportionately affected populations placed at higher risk and who are medically…

The tennessee covid-19 health disparities initiative - background: coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) has disproportionately affected populations placed at higher risk and who are medically underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups, and people living in rural communities who are at higher risk of exposure, infection, hospitalization, and mortality. Examining the covid-19 impact in the state of tennessee by grand division (west, middle and east) by urban and rural counties, a total of 172,436 covid-19 cases and 3,156 deaths have occurred in the west grand division; 351,969 cases and 4,538 deaths in middle; and 281.655 cases and 4,218 deaths in east. Specifically, as of 4/21/2021, there were 837,833 covid-19 cases in tennessee, a rate of 12,269 cases per 100,000 tennesseans. Of those 13.21% (110,711 cases) were reported among black or african americans, a rate of 9,508 cases per 100,000 black or african american residents. According to the U.S. Census population estimates, 17.1% of the tennessee population is black or african american. Additionally, 6.16% (51,614 cases) of the total covid-19 cases were reported among hispanic tennesseans, at a rate of 14,646 cases per 100,000. The U.S. Census estimates the number of hispanics to be 5.2% of the tennessee population. Approach and purpose: to reach these populations at higher risk, IT is critical to fund key partners to implement a coordinated and holistic approach that builds on culturally, linguistically, and locally tailored strategies and best practices to reduce covid-19 risk across the state of tennessee. Our overall aim is aligned with this nofo, which is to address covid-19-related health disparities and advance health equity by expanding state health department capacity and services to prevent and control covid-19 infection (or transmission) among populations at higher risk. The tennessee department of health will engage existing and new partners in ?a coordinated and holistic approach. Building on this approach, the t DH will use culturally, linguistically, and locally tailored strategies and best practices to reduce covid-19 risk? In underserved and rural communities. Target population: the identified populations are african american, latinx, and indigenous and native american people, asian americans and pacific islanders, and other people of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, GAY, bisexual, transgender, and queer (lgbtq+) people; people experiencing homelessness, people with behavioral health issues and challenges, people with disabilities; people who live in rural communities; people over the age of 65, and people otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. Evaluation and performance measurement plan: the evaluation and performance measurement plan will follow will include performance indicators, metrics, assessment of the implementation of strategies and approaches across regions, programmatic outcomes and impact of activities to produce defined expect outcomes. Funding strategy: the usual and customary strategy of state contracting procedures will be employed to engage existing and new community and faith-based organizations. Contracts will include provisions for training and certifications, care coordination services, health education and promotion. This funding strategy will include appropriate financial monitoring to ensure funding of activities conducted by new and existing key partners.