Accelerating Excellence in Translational Science (AXIS) - Admin Supplement

The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 Among Racial Ethnic Minority Populations and Other Vulnerable Populations in The United States.Abstract: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is proposing to coordinate, implement and evaluate a pilot demonstration research project targeting three hundred (300) African American and Latino homeless individuals residing in South Los Angeles who are at high risk for COVID-19 acquisition. The goal of the study is to inform the development of a culturally competent primary healthcare program with a focus on COVID-19 screening, primary prevention education and referral services delivered by trained CDU health professionals. The purpose of the project is to 1. increase knowledge and awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on African American and Latino homeless populations residing in SPA 6, 2. provide free COVID-19 screening services utilizing the oral swab diagnostic test targeting at risk and vulnerable African American and Latino homeless populations residing in SPA 6, and 3. develop an effective enhanced case management intervention to break the chain of COVID-19 infection among at risk African Americans and Latinos residing in homeless encampments in SPA 6. This is a cross-sectional observational study, whereby the study participants will receive direct primary healthcare services from a newly funded Street Medicine project called the "MobileHealth Outreach Project" (MoHOP). MoHOP staff, which will include a physician, FamilyMedicine Residents, Physician Assistants, and graduate students enrolled in the University's Masters in Bio-Medical Sciences and Masters in Public Health programs, will travel with the clinicians to homeless encampments in SPA 6. During this street outreach, we plan to offer free COVID-19 screening services as well as provide COVID-19 primary prevention services in order to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 among this vulnerable population. Data will be collected from study participants utilizing a baseline pre-test questionnaire to collect thefollowing information: 1. socio-demographic data, 2. data on the study participants' knowledge,attitudes, beliefs and risk reduction behaviors concerning COVID-19, 3. data to assess theparticipants' knowledge of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection, 4. data regarding thestudy participants' knowledge of measures to prevent COVID-19 infection, including effectivemeasures to quarantine and isolate individuals testing positive for COVID-19, 5. data onwhether or not the study participants are knowledgeable about existing resources in the SouthLos Angeles community to obtain COVID-19 screening, and 6. data on how to manage stressand/or depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Core Team, composed of ProfessorCynthia Davis, the PI on the project and Dr. Alexander Rogers, the PI of the CDU MoHOPStreet Medicine Project and Co-investigator on the project, and Co-Investigator and faculty member, Danielle Campbell will lead the project. Mr. Francisco Perez, Executive Director ofGranada on Broadway, a local non-profit agency serving the homeless in South Los Angeles,will assist with the planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the proposed study.The Core Team will participate in weekly telephone conference calls in addition tocommunicating daily via email communications. Dr. Rogers will serve as the Preceptor for theCOM Family Medicine Residents, COSH Physician Assistant students and COSH Masters inPublic Health and Masters in Bio-Medical Sciences students who will be completing theircommunity service, Practicum and/or Thesis requirements by volunteering on the MoHOPStreet Medicine Project as part of the CDU Advantage curriculum activities. A Community Advisory Board (CAB) will be established to help guide all phases of the proposed study.