COVID-19 Risk Reduction Among African American Parishioners

Multilevel, Multidisciplinary, Faith-Based Participatory Interventions to Reduce COVID-19 Related-Risks Among Underserved African Americans

African American adults, specifically those managing chronic disease and social isolation, are one of the most vulnerable groups susceptible to COVID-19. This intervention involves a multi-disciplinary and culturally sensitive approach to address two major COVID-19 related challenges in this population. First, this program collaborates with predominantly African American churches to implement Federal and State guidelines aimed at preventing outbreaks of COVID-19 at faith-based gatherings. Second, this program trains church-based health advisors to help African American older parishioners manage their chronic health conditions and reduce psychological distress during the pandemic.

To jointly implement and evaluate a telehealth-based, multidisciplinary, culturally-sensitive intervention with 265 AA older parishioners: (i) To mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on the management of chronic health conditions, and (ii) to reduce healthcare avoidance behaviors and psychological distress.

This arm will implement "one group pretest-posttest" design to improve COVID associated health outcomes of AA older parishioners in collaboration with trained young church-based health educators.

Provide/enhance knowledge, modify attitudes, motivate and provide skills and resources to reduce COVID-19 related risk and challenges.

Percentage of Participants Achieving Improvement of Health Conditions Using the Severity of Medical Chronic Conditions Surveys

From pre-intervention to three-month post-intervention, a 30% change is anticipated for chronic physical and mental disease management among African American older adults

Percentage of Participants Achieving Target Levels of Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviors with NIH Toolbox Surveys

From pre-intervention to three-month post-intervention, an 80% change is anticipated in knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of COVID-19 risk among African American older adults

From pre-intervention to three-month post-intervention, a 40% change is anticipated for COVID-19 testing among the population of African American Older adults.

From pre-intervention to three-month post-intervention, a 70% change is anticipated in uptake of pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations among the population of African American Older adults.

Inclusion Criteria: African American older adults aged 55 years with a chronic medical condition or 65years and older Have at least one risk factor for COVID-19 Exclusion Criteria: Resident of care facility Cognitive deficit (identified by short version of mini-mental instrument) Does not self-identify as African American and/or Black Under the age of 55years Unable to speak and/or read English