The Benefits of Community Engaged Research in Creating Place-Based Responses to COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: The DSU COVID-19 study aims to understand the response to and impact of COVID-19 in nine underserved communities in Delaware and to inform public health messaging. In this article, we describe our community engaged research approach and discuss the benefits of community engaged research in creating place-based health interventions designed to reduce entrenched health disparities and to respond to emerging or unforeseen health crises. We also highlight the necessity of sustained community engagement in addressing entrenched health disparities most prevalent in underserved communities and in being prepared for emerging and unforeseen health crises. METHOD: Our study is a longitudinal study comprised of three waves: initial, six months follow-up, and twelve months follow-up. Each wave consists of a structured survey administered on an iPad and a serology test. Through community engaged research techniques, a network of community partners, including trusted community facilities serving as study sites, collaborates on study implementation, data interpretation, and informing public health messaging. RESULTS: The community engaged approach (CEnR) proved effective in recruiting 1,086 study participants from nine underserved communities in Delaware. The research team built a strong, trusting rapport in the communities and served as a resource for accurate information about COVID-19 and vaccinations. Community partners strengthened their research capacity. Collaboratively, researchers and community partners informed public health messaging. CONCLUSION: The partnerships developed through CEnR allow for place-based tailored health interventions and education. Policy Implications: CEnR continues to be effective in creating mutually beneficial partnerships among researchers, community partners, and community residents. However, CEnR by nature is transactional. Without sustained partnerships with and in underserved communities, we will make little progress in impacting health disparities and will be ill-prepared to respond to emerging or unforeseen health crises. We recommend that population health strategies include sustainable research practice partnerships (RPPs) to increase their impact.