Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Eliminating health disparities is a priority at Columbus Public Health. Our latest Community Health Assessment has highlighted the health disparities in Columbus to populations adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality (Community Health Assessment (CHA) (columbus.gov)) . Unfortunately, COVID-19 exacerbated the disparities among high-risk and underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness. For example, within the city of Columbus, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color, Non-Hispanic African American and Hispanic residents are nearly 2 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 than white residents, even though they are only slightly more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Therefore, Columbus? communities of color are more likely to be severely ill and face complications from the virus than white communities.By identifying individuals at risk for disparities and vulnerability, we are able to look at smaller clusters of individuals, understand their priorities and challenges, which helps in providing appropriate services and to communicate effectively. The National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities funding will allow us to address COVID-19 and advance health equity in Columbus, Ohio.The purpose of Columbus Public Health?s Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Project will be to increase capacity and services to prevent and control COVID-19 infection and transmission among populations at higher risk. Our outcomes will be 1)Reduce COVID-19-related health disparities; 2) Improve and increase testing and contact tracing among populations at higher risk; and 3) Improve Columbus Public Health?s capacity and services to prevent and control COVID-19 infection or transmissio n. Columbus Public Health will use an evidence-based, holistic, and collaborative approach to address COVID-19-related health disparities. This funding will support the implementation of the following strategies: 1) Expand existing and develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk by testing, contact tracing, vaccine coordination, and preventive care through collaborations with traditional and non-traditional partners; 2) Build, leverage and expand infrastructure to support COVID-19 prevention and control through advice, guidance and recommendations from multi-sector coalitions; updated COVID-19 and Health Equity Plans; and hiring people from the communities at highest risk; 3) Mobilize partners to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19 health disparities by building community capacity to reach high risk populations with effective culturally and linguistically tailored programs and practices.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
