In this proposal, for the continuation of the active CEAL award (AWD019566), using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, MI CEAL will leverage its long term relationships with the communities involved, the established CBPR Steering Committee, 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. This proposal will identify and implement effective, community-driven strategies to increase empowerment, education, awareness related to the prevention of COVID-19, and its disproportionate impact on underserved communities of Genesee, Kent, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties which continue to be impacted by health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be achieved through the following goals: 1: Increase vaccine uptake and decrease vaccine hesitancy through the implementation of multilevel intervention using the app and trainings developed for community health workers (CHWs); 2: Increase vaccine uptake and decrease vaccine hesitancy through the dissemination of quantitative and qualitative data through publications, conference presentations, and community-centered forums; 3: Using CEAL communion survey questions, survey and analyze data collected in Detroit, Flint, and Ypsilanti; 4: Maintain, enhance, and evaluate the effectiveness of the CEAL partnership to equitably engage all partners and share CBPR best practices.
