Qualitative Evaluation of RADx-UP Projects Addressing COVID-19 Testing Disparities Among Underserved Populations

Shelly A Maras; Abisola Osinuga; Iñigo Verduzco Gallo; Arturo Rodriguez; Erin Corriveau; Kelley Milligan; Allyson Kelley; Tara Carr; Gaurav Dave

doi:10.2105/AJPH.2024.307632

Qualitative Evaluation of RADx-UP Projects Addressing COVID-19 Testing Disparities Among Underserved Populations

Am J Public Health. 2024 Mar 28:e1-e6. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307632. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Shelly A Maras¹, Abisola Osinuga¹, Iñigo Verduzco Gallo¹, Arturo Rodriguez¹, Erin Corriveau¹, Kelley Milligan¹, Allyson Kelley¹, Tara Carr¹, Gaurav Dave¹

Affiliation

¹ Shelly A. Maras, Abisola Osinuga, Tara Carr, and Gaurav Dave are with the School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Iñigo Verduzco Gallo is with the Genome Center and Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity, University of California, Davis. Arturo Rodriguez is with the Department of Health, Wellness and Animal Services, Brownsville, TX. Erin Corriveau is with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Kansas City, Kansas City, KS. Kelley Milligan is with Allyson Kelley and Associates PLLC, Sacramento, CA. Allyson Kelley is with Allyson Kelley and Associates PLLC, Sisters, OR.

PMID: 38547469
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2024.307632

Abstract

In this article, we present findings from a May 2022 to March 2023 qualitative evaluation of Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) projects addressing COVID-19 testing disparities among underserved populations. Interviews with academic and community partners from 13 RADx-UP projects revealed that despite the pandemic, projects were able to build trust and relationships with underserved populations. By prioritizing community voices during a public health emergency, RADx-UP projects improved health equity and pandemic preparedness in these communities, successfully conducted community-engaged research, and built long-lasting community partnerships. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 28, 2024:e1-e6. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307632).