The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) recently awarded five research grants to address vaccine hesitancy, uptake, and implementation among populations who experience health disparities.
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) recently awarded five research grants to address vaccine hesitancy, uptake, and implementation among populations who experience health disparities. A total of $14.5 million has been committed over five years for these five grants, subject to available funds. Over $3.67 million has been provided by the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, to fund the first year of these grants.
Lisa B. Hightow-Weidman, MD, MPH is the domestic division director of The Behavior and Technology Lab at UNC, which facilitates health behavior change through technology-based research on all aspects of sexual health including factors that impact the acquisition, transmission, and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Hightow-Weidman and co-PI Henna Budhwani, PhD received one of the five grants, and will adapt an HIV digital health intervention strategy for COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
A Multidimensional Digital Approach to Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among African American Young Adults in the South
PIs: Lisa B. Hightow-Weidman and Henna Budhwani
1R01 MD016834-01 – Researchers will utilize a digital health intervention strategy to target African American young adults (AA-YA), ages 18-29 in three southern states. They will combine validated vaccine hesitancy survey measures, with novel CBPR methods including choose-your-own adventure journeys and digital storytelling to better understand vaccine decision-making in AA-YA.
These awards prioritize SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccination uptake among adults. A disproportionate number of racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are dying from COVID-19 related complications. Additionally, there are vaccination disparities and challenges associated with vaccination and uptake among racial and ethnic minorities. Research is needed to understand and address misinformation, distrust, and hesitancy in these populations who are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality.
Specific objectives of this funding effort are to:
- Evaluate interventions to facilitate equitable vaccination uptake in clinical and community contexts
- Address barriers to reach, access, acceptance, and vaccine completion among populations that experience health disparities
The grantees will utilize strong community engaged research approaches through collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders such as community partners, leaders, and knowledge holders. They will also leverage community resources and local service delivery settings to enhance vaccine access, delivery, uptake, and community benefit.
Read more about the rest of the NIMHD research grant awards here.