PHI news
This article details how the Rhode Island Department of Health built its community-level COVID-19 response from existing capacities and networks through its Health Equity Zone Initiative. The initiative is a place-based, community-level model that brings a range of community members together to address pressing health issues and build capacity for systemic changes surrounding the social determinants of health. The state has used federal pandemic relief funds to expand the Health Equity Zone Initiative by providing resources to community partners, social service agencies, and grassroots organizations to be engaged in the pandemic response. The initiative’s partners provided critical community-based services including COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, quarantine and isolation supports, distribution of masks and other personal protective equipment, and direct outreach and education by community health workers and community outreach specialists.
Resource Details
- Topics of Practice: Policy Change/ Development
- Outcomes of Interest: Advancing Racial Equity|Improve Organizational Infrastructure|Partnership Building
- Level of Evidence: Novel
- Tools or Materials Included in Resource: No
- Social Determinants of Health: Economic Stability|Healthcare Access and Quality|Social and Community Context
- Outside of US: No