RCMI@Morgan: Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation (1)

PROJECT SUMMARYCOVID-19 infections are disproportionately higher among communities of color, nationwide(CDC, 2020). In Maryland, where 60% of the population is white and 30% is black, the rate ofcoronavirus infections is higher among African Americans (AA) at 49.4% compared to 36.9%among whites, and 13.7% among Asians and among other races (MD Department of Health,2020). Likewise, AAs account for 53% of COVID-19 deaths within Baltimore's Northeastcommunity (i.e. zip code 21215), and, in one of Baltimore's Health Enterprise Zones (HEZ) (i.e.,21216, 21217, 21223, and 21229) four of five infected residents are black (David, P., 2020). Low-income underinsured/uninsured AAs with COVID-19 symptoms often experience transportationbarriers. Even when they are able to arrive at an emergency room (ER) they often are turned away(Shamus, K., 2020). Other members of this population elect not to go to the ER and instead dealwith the painful COVID-19 symptoms at home. To make matters worse, the long history ofsegregation nationwide has forced many AAs into housing areas with limited access to local healthclinics, healthy food options, clean air, and green space, all of which contribute to higherincidences of pre-existing illnesses, which increases the risk of experiencing more severe COVID-19 symptoms.To address the aforementioned problems, the Morgan State University (MSU) School ofArchitecture and Planning (MSU-SAP), MSU Department of Psychology, MSU Department ofGeography, AA biomedical company Juxtopia, University of Maryland, and engineeringconsulting company Contronic LLC, will investigate an innovative concept of rapidly renovatingBaltimore's vacant/underused houses/buildings, located in lower-income Baltimore HEZcommunities and zip code 21215, into temporary clinics. The goal of the project is to provide targetresidents with easier accessibility to culturally aware and competent healthcare services (i.e.,local/community healthcare facilities and resources (i.e., healthcare providers)) to measurablydecrease the health disparity in COVID-19 related infections and mortality rates inBaltimore. The MSU-SAP team hypothesis is that IF some Baltimore City-ownedvacant/underused properties in HEZ and 21215 communities are renovated into hybrid clinics,THEN residents in those communities will have access to efficient and more culturallycompetent healthcare services compared to traditional healthcare facilities (e.g., ERs). Toaccomplish this research, the investigators will address the following specific aims:Aim 1: Assess the impact of the clinic-desert phenomenon on the COVID-19 outbreak inBaltimoreAim 2: Develop a methodology to identify optimal locations for potential temporary communityclinics for testing, vaccination and other related healthcare services during outbreaks andpandemics such as COVID-19Aim 3: Assess the feasibility of converting a vacant or underused building into a temporarycommunity health clinic during times of public health crisis, such as COVID-19