Addressing the AAPI COVID-19 Health Effects in Pima County (January 5, 2024)
Howard J. Eng* Department of Community, Environment & Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Abstract:
Background: COVID-19 had significant physical, mental, and social health impacts on the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations in Pima County, Arizona, USA. The Together We Thrive project established specific activities to address the three health areas impacted by COVID-19: vaccination clinics to reduce severe cases, social health classes to reduce social isolation, and mental health panel presentations to reduce anxiety/depression/stress associated with the virus. The activities that address each of the three health areas were evaluated for their impact.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study (program evaluation). The number of vaccines given at the clinics were recorded. For social health classes and mental health panel presentations, evaluation forms collected information on knowledge gain, usefulness of knowledge gain, and impact.
Results: Sixty-five individuals got vaccinated. Most of the 19 social health class attendees gained new knowledge. Seventy-two percent planned to expand their social network. Most of the nine who attended the mental health panel presentations gained new useful knowledge, were better able to cope with the mental health effects associated with COVID-19, and planned to practice the coping exercises learned.
Conclusion: Ninety-three individuals had benefitted from the three TWT activities offered. Outreaching to AAPI populations and the changing COVID -19 needs required innovative health education and promotion approaches.
