Project Summary
Background: Although COVID-19 data that separates Pacific Islander (PI) numbers from the general population is limited, the states and counties that are reporting this data show that PIs are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. To address this disparity, PI community leaders from 10 states decided to collaborate to form the PI COVID-19 Response Team (PICRT) with technical support from the PI Center of Primary Care Excellence (PI-CoPCE), the only national health organization that focuses on and is governed by PIs. PI-CoPCE is currently housed with the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO).
Proposed Solution to the Problem: To address these needs, the project team will engage PI communities and diverse stakeholders in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases (COID) research. Working with community, clinical, and academic partners in 38 states and all six US Pacific jurisdictions, the team will implement the COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases Engagement Initiative (COIDEI).
Objectives: The long-term objective of the COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases Engagement Initiative (COIDEI) is to reduce health disparities related to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases (COID). To accomplish this, the team aims to:
- Facilitate an inclusive dialogue with diverse stakeholders to set and address COID research priorities
- Develop stakeholders’ capacity to conduct PCOR/CER including conducting training, providing resources, and facilitating partnerships
- Disseminate current knowledge, research, and best practices related to COID
The project’s broad target audience encompasses a diverse group of stakeholders that participate in research; implement research findings in practice and policy; and benefit from research. These targeted sectors include: academic researchers and educators; patients and caregivers; health and human services providers; community members; nonprofit organizations; policy and government agencies; and funding organizations.
Activities: This proposal is based on a foundation of participatory and collaborative PCOR/CER methods that honors the indigenous PIs’ view of research and considers the current context of a pandemic and infectious disease progressions in planning and implementing activities. The team’s approach engages stakeholders in all aspects of planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination.
Projected Outcomes and Outputs: The expected short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes will be associated with achieving each of the aims and are outlined in the workplan, including documentation of research priorities set by PI stakeholders; increase in research initiated on identified priority areas; researcher and community stakeholders (a) trained in engaged research/PCOR methods and online platform use; and (b) received support to access online meetings/trainings; and increased capacity (skills, knowledge, and resources) to engage in PCOR/CER research.
Patient and Stakeholder Engagement Plan: PI stakeholders will inform every aspect of the project planning, implementation, and evaluation. The implementation of COIDEI activities will follow a holistic approach that honors the indigenous PIs’ view of research and balances dissemination, input/consensus building, training, and networking/partnership development to meet PI community needs.