This PAF is for a switch of Direct Sponsor for an already existing award (This will be set up as a new award since it is a new sponsor). The Direct Sponsor and Coordinating Center for AWD016323 ("The Fierce Urgency of Now": Communities Conquering COVID (C3)) is being transferred from RTI International to Westat, Inc. Westat has issued an agreement that is being processed via this PAF. The original scope of work is not changing. That scope is as follows:
Like many states across the country, COVID-19 cases and deaths have impacted communities of color in Michigan at disproportionately higher rates than whites. A staggering reality is that while African Americans (AA) represent only 13.6% of Michigan’s population, they represent 40% of the deaths from COVID-19. Half of the cases and deaths in Michigan occurred in Wayne County. Other Counties in the lower half of Michigan have similar disparities including Genesee, and Washtenaw. In Genesee County, where African Americans represent 20.3% of the population, they represent 35% of COVID-19 cases and 45% of deaths. In Washtenaw County, nearly half of the cases to date are located in two majority low-income zip codes in the city of Ypsilanti. African American residents, who make up 12% of the Washtenaw population, disproportionately constitute more than a quarter of the cases. It is unquestionable that this crisis has exacerbated existing racial/ethnic inequity and health disparities in Michigan. Preliminary data from the state reveal that these disparities will likely worsen due to significant hesitancy, fear, mistrust and misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine if nothing is done to change current trends. This proposal, is designed to directly address and decrease COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccine uptake among populations that experience COVID-19 related disparities. We will focus on three counties within Michigan where a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 is within AA and LX communities, i.e., Wayne, Genesee, and Washtenaw Counties. Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, MI CEAL will leverage: its long term relationships with the communities involved, an established CBPR Steering Committee developed and the knowledge gained as a Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) grant recipient, the resources and networks of the University of Michigan CTSA (MICHR), and the expertise of our academic partners to identify and understand factors that contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in AA and LX communities in Michigan. We will develop and pilot interventions based on community-centered approaches to achieve a primary goal of increased vaccine uptake and decreased vaccine hesitancy. We will achieve this goal by: 1: Increase vaccine uptake and decrease vaccine hesitancy through the implementation of multilevel intervention; 2: Increase vaccine uptake and decrease vaccine hesitancy through the implementation and evaluation of an individual level tailored intervention; and 3: Maintain, enhance, and evaluate the effectiveness of the CEAL partnership to equitably engage all partners
