COVID-19's Impact on Women: A Stakeholder-Engagement Approach to Increase Public Awareness Through Virtual Town Halls.

Women face unprecedented challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging evidence suggests that women are unduly burdened by inequitable access to economic, health, and social resources during the pandemic. For many women, COVID-19 has presented new urgency to challenges and illuminates unique issues long encountered. Gendered roles such as family caregiving and frontline occupations increase women's exposure to COVID-19 infections and critical outcomes. To increase dialogue around COVID-19's impact on women, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health convened a moderated virtual town hall on April 25, 2020, with 2 sexual and reproductive health experts. The town hall was the second in a series to increase public awareness of COVID-19's impact on vulnerable populations. This report highlights policy and practice implications that are particularly relevant for engaging key populations and delivering information to increase public awareness of COVID-19.

Translating the Birmingham Neighborhood Leaders Survey into Innovative Action through the Community Health Innovation Awards.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching describes community engagement as the collaboration between higher education institutions and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership. This article describes the development, implementation and outcomes of a community-engaged grant-making program, the Community Health Innovation Awards (CHIA). The CHIA program was the by-product of a qualitative study jointly led by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and neighborhood leaders from the surrounding communities in Birmingham, AL. The competitive program provided funding to area organizations that proposed creative solutions to on-the-ground health challenges. Since its inception, CHIA has awarded $356,500 to 26 innovative projects between 2012 and 2017. These awards have supported novel programs that have connected academic and community partners in addressing health disparities and improving overall community well-being in the greater Birmingham area.

Stroke Symptoms as a Predictor of Future Hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Stroke symptoms in the general adult population are common and associated with stroke risk factors, lower physical and mental functioning, impaired cognitive status, and future stroke. Our objective was to determine the association of stroke symptoms with self-reported hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visit. METHODS: Lifetime history of stroke symptoms (sudden weakness, numbness, unilateral or general loss of vision, loss of ability to communicate or understand) was assessed at baseline in a national, population-based, longitudinal cohort study of 30,239 blacks and whites younger than 45 years, enrolled from 2003 to 2007. Self-reported hospitalization or ED visit and reason were collected during follow-up through March 2013. The symptom-hospitalization association was assessed by proportional hazards analysis in persons who were stroke/transient ischemic attack-free at baseline (27,126) with adjustment for sociodemographics and further adjustment for risk factors. RESULTS: One or more stroke symptoms were reported by 4758 (17.5%). After adjustment for sociodemographics, stroke symptoms were most strongly associated with greater risk of hospitalization/ED for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.78-1.96), stroke (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.55-1.85), and any reason (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.34-1.44). These associations remained significant and only modestly reduced after risk factor adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke symptoms are a marker for future hospitalization and ED visit not only for stroke but also for CVD in general. Findings suggest a role for stroke symptom assessment as a novel and simple approach for identifying individuals at high risk for CVD including stroke in whom preventive strategies could be implemented.

Childhood Residential Mobility and Mental and Physical Health in Later Life: Findings From the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study.

The study objective was to investigate the effects of childhood residential mobility on older adult physical and mental health. In REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study, we used linear regression models to investigate if number of moves during childhood predicted mental and physical health (SF-12 MCS, PCS), adjusting for demographic covariates, childhood socioeconomic status (SES), childhood social support, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). We investigated interaction by age, race, childhood SES, and ACEs. People who moved more during childhood had poorer MCS scores, ß = -0.10, SE = 0.05, p = 0.03, and poorer PCS scores, ß = -0.25, SE = 0.06, p < 0.0001. Effects of moves on PCS were worse for Black people compared to White people (p = 0.06), those with low childhood SES compared to high childhood SES (p = 0.02), and high ACEs compared to low ACEs (p = 0.01). As family instability accompanying residential mobility, family poverty, and adversity disproportionately affect health, Black people may be especially disadvantaged.

COVID-19 Vaccination Intention and Factors Associated with Hesitance and Resistance in the Deep South: Montgomery, Alabama.

Using COVID-19-related survey data collected from residents in the city of Montgomery, Alabama, this study assessed the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitance, and resistance, and identified factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitance and resistance. To analyze the survey data (n = 1000), a consolidation approach (machine learning modeling and multinomial logistic regression modeling) was used to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance. The prevalence of vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and resistance was 62%, 23%, and 15%, respectively. Female gender and a higher level of trust that friends and family will provide accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine were positively associated with vaccine hesitancy. Female gender and higher trust that social media will provide accurate information about COVID-19 were positively associated with vaccine resistance. Factors positively associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitance and resistance in the study's geographical area are worrisome, especially given the high burden of chronic diseases and health disparities that exist in both Montgomery and the Deep South. More research is needed to elucidate COVID-19 vaccination attitudes and reasons for non-acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Efforts to improve acceptance should remain a priority in this respective geographical area and across the general population.

COVID-19's Impact on the African American Community: A Stakeholder Engagement Approach to Increase Public Awareness Through Virtual Town Halls.

COVID-19 has created a rapidly evolving public health crisis disproportionately impacting African Americans due to persistent inequities. The changing COVID-19 guidelines have resulted in concerns expressed by the American public, including unique concerns expressed by African Americans. To increase COVID-19-related awareness and dialogue among the African American community, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health and the Housing Association of the Birmingham District convened a virtual town hall. This process of stakeholder engagement underscored the importance of cross-disciplinary expertise and collaboration and of community education and outreach by trusted sources.

The Search for Environmental Justice: The Story of North Birmingham.

Environmental justice is a rising social movement throughout the world. Research is beginning to define the movement and address the disparities that exist among communities exposed to pollution. North Birmingham, a community made up of six neighborhoods in Jefferson County, Alabama, in the United States, is a story of environmental injustice. Heavy industry, including the 35th Avenue Superfund Site, has caused significant environmental pollution over time, leaving residents concerned that their health and well-being are at risk from continued exposure. For years, pollution has impacted the community, and residents have fought and challenged industry and government. The United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) in Alabama have historically played a role in working with the community regarding their health concerns. In this manuscript, we describe a city entrenched in environmental injustice. We provide the history of the community, the responsible parties named for the contamination, the government's involvement, and the community's response to this injustice. Through this manuscript, we offer insight into a global concern that challenges local communities on a daily basis.

Community Experiences and Perceptions of Clinical and Translational Research and Researchers.

BACKGROUND: Engaging communities in research is increasingly recognized as critical to translation of research into improved health outcomes. Our objective was to understand community stakeholders' perspectives on researchers, academic institutions, and how community is valued in research. METHODS: A 45-item survey assessing experiences and perceptions of research (trust, community value, equity, researcher preparedness, and indicators of successful engagement) was distributed to 226 community members involved in health research with academic institutions. RESULTS: Of the 109 respondents, 60% were racial/ethnic minorities and 78% were women, representing a range of community organizations, faith-based organizations, and public health agencies. Most (57%) reported current involvement with a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). Only 25% viewed researchers as well-prepared to engage communities and few (13%) reported that resources were available and adequate to support community involvement. Most community stakeholders (66%) were compensated for their involvement in research, but only 40% perceived compensation to be appropriate. Trust of research and perceptions that researchers value community were more positive among those who perceived their compensation as appropriate (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate compensation and resources to support community involvement in research may improve perceptions of trust and value in academic-community partnerships. Strategies are needed to increase researcher preparedness to engage with communities.

Community representatives' involvement in Clinical and Translational Science Awardee activities.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the formal roles of community representatives (CRs) in Clinical and Translational Science Awardee (CTSA) activities, to evaluate the extent of integration into the organizational and governance structures and to identify barriers to effective integration. METHODS: The inventory tool was distributed to each of the 60 CTSAs using a secure web application. RESULTS: Forty-seven (78%) completed the inventory. The mean number of CRs per CTSA is 21.4 (SD: 14.8). Most CTSAs had community advisory boards (89%) and 94% included CRs in Community Engagement (CE) cores. Only 11% reported a CR being a member of the CTSA leadership team and 19% reported that CRs advise core programs beyond CE. CRs are compensated by 79% of CTSAs. Mean annual compensation is $753 (median: $400). Compensation directly correlated with the number of hours that CRs worked in CTSA activities (r = 0.64; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This inventory allows CTSAs to better understand how CRs have engaged in activities and brings attention to the limited representation among cores and in leadership roles. CTSAs should, with substantive input from CRs, develop strategies to provide the resources and compensation necessary to better integrate the community in CTSA activities and fully realize the goals of the CTSA vision.

Using health information technology to engage communities in health, education, and research.

The August 2011 Clinical and Translational Science Awards conference "Using IT to Improve Community Health: How Health Care Reform Supports Innovation" convened four "Think Tank" sessions. Thirty individuals, representing various perspectives on community engagement, attended the "Health information technology (HIT) as a resource to improve community health and education" session, which focused on using HIT to improve patient health, education, and research involvement. Participants discussed a range of topics using a semistructured format. This article describes themes and lessons that emerged from that session, with a particular focus on using HIT to engage communities to improve health and reduce health disparities in populations.