Community Action to Improve Health and Well-Being During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Community members have reported being overwhelmed with the amount of information about COVID-19 that is available, the speed with which it changes, how to discern what guidelines and recommendations to follow, and what information to trust. Identifying solutions for effectively disseminating COVID-19 research to the community is imperative to reducing the spread of the coronavirus. Community engagement in this process is essential to ensure messages and resources are evidence-based and address community COVID-19 priorities, are written in locally relevant language, and effectively disseminated.
Our lab is partnering with the Detroit Community COVID Crushers (8 community members from neighborhoods where Brilliant Detroit has hubs), Brilliant Detroit, the Detroit Parent Network, the Wayne Mobile Health Unit, and the Office of Community Engaged Research at Wayne State University to develop a community-driven communication system to achieve this goal. This system is comprised of two primary communication strategies: 1) community-driven health campaigns and 2) Bi-weekly Community COVID-19 Briefings.
Our lab utilizes Boot Camp Translation (BCT) to guide the Detroit Community COVID Crushers through in developing health campaigns. BCT methodology engages community members in a process to translate evidence-based medical care into locally relevant, culturally appropriate messages and resources. BCT draws from the basic questions of “What does the community need to know” about a particular health problem, “how do we share that information in a way that the community will understand and be motivated to take action,” and “how do we disseminate that message to our community?” Health campaigns developed using BCT have increased rates of colon cancer screening, reduced blood pressure, and improved asthma management in underserved populations. Campaigns address community COVID-19 priorities identified by the Detroit Community COVID Crushers (e.g., coping with COVID-19 stress). Community COVID Briefings are also designed by the Detroit Community COVID Crushers to provide Detroiters with local data and resources specific to COVID-19 as well as other updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1) Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA
2) B or better in at least 3 social, behavioral, public health, or health sciences courses
3) Commit to at least 6 hours per week for 2 semesters
4) Reliable and punctual
5) Can work both independently and as a team
6) Excellent communication skills

Over the next year, the Detroit Community COVID Crushers will complete 1-2 health campaigns and develop and disseminate Community COVID-19 briefings.
As noted above in qualifications-students must be willing to commit two semesters. Relationship building and trust are critical in community engaged research, and these outcomes are fostered over time.

Students who work on these projects have the opportunity to attend community action council meetings (all virtual), work with community members to develop products that are components of health campaigns, and learn about BCT implementation. It is also possible that students will assist with campaign implementation pending the campaign design and dissemination strategies selected by community members and organizations. Opportunities to assist with campaign evaluation are available pending previous experience and coursework. Students may also have the opportunity to submit abstracts to present project outcomes at local conferences pending performance.

June 10, 2024