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Network-Driven COVID-19 Prevention for Vulnerable Populations (RADx-UP)

Low angle of company of multiracial friends wearing protective masks standing on stairs in city during coronavirus pandemic
Randomized control trials to evaluate network-based approaches to promote COVID-19 prevention
  • Client
    National Institute of Drug Abuse
  • Dates
    October 2020 - Present

Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted some communities more than others.

While the COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone, some communities experienced disproportionate consequences. Two key populations with high COVID-19 transmission rates are individuals who had interactions with law enforcement (e.g., a history of arrest, jail, prison, or probation/parole), and low income Hispanic/Latinx communities. Throughout the pandemic, it has been difficult to engage these populations in prevention behaviors such as testing and vaccination due to challenges including stigma, a sense of futility, resource challenges, and concerns about how personal information may be shared and used. 

Solution

Empowering trusted messengers within communities.

NORC partnered with the University of Chicago School of Medicine to conduct randomized control trials testing the effectiveness of network-driven approaches to prevention. These approaches assume that the messenger is often as or more important than the message itself and seek to leverage voices within communities and interpersonal networks to promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination. 

The first phase of the study engaged participants in a social network strategy, where participants were prompted to recruit others in their social network for testing and vaccination. This phase also included messaging to correct common misinformation about COVID-19 prevention. A second phase of the study, which is still ongoing, built upon the social network strategy by training participants to be peer change agents, with training on how to educate and motivate others around COVID-19 prevention and protection behaviors. 

Result

Reaching participants through social networks.

The first phase of the project reached almost 1400 participants with messages about COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Of these, 29 percent were directly recruited to participate in the study and the other 71 percent were recruited as part of participants’ social networks.

Analysis and reporting are ongoing for Phase I. Recruitment for Phase II is underway.

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