A CHW Intervention to Identify and Decrease Barriers to COVID 19 Testing & Vaccination

A Community Health Worker Intervention to Identify and Decrease Barriers to Pre-Procedural COVID 19 Testing Among Los Angeles County Department of Health Safety-Net Patients

The objective of this study is to compare the results of a COVID-19 specific curriculum led by LACDHS Community Health Workers (CHWs) from these same communities of safety-net patients to effectively increase COVID-19 testing and vaccination for individual patients, and to facilitate needed healthcare in a timely manner for the safety net health system, and to develop a sustained public health presence in these communities to build trust and preparedness for critical COVID-19 related future needs.

This study represents the third aim of a grant with three aims. The study used unsupervised machine learning and qualitative interviews to develop a CHW intervention for this aim. The aim will compare and evaluate a Community Health Worker-led curriculum aimed to identify and address barriers to COVID-19 testing and vaccination among LACDHS safety-net patients.

For the study, the investigators will recruit 66 eligible safety-net patients for a COVID-19 specific curriculum, provided by Community Health Workers at Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The study will take place remotely over the course of 6-weeks. Utilizing a randomized control design among African American and Latinx safety net patients, will assess the effect of the CHW hypothesis-driven intervention on trust, self-efficacy, and intent to participate in COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

The remote CHW intervention that the study participants will participate in and be compensated for is a pilot program intended to provide additional CHW training. Monthly calls from LACDHS to remind them of COVID-19 vaccination are standard of care for all empaneled LACDHS patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 16 years and older
• Self-identify as African American or Latinx
• English Speaking
• Receives primary or specialty care treatment at an LACDHS facility
• Has either not completed lab orders for COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination at an LACDHS facility
• Have reliable internet access

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not meeting the inclusion criteria listed above