COVID-19 Health Equity Learning Network

Andrea Thoumi, Hemi Tewarson, Kate Johnson (March 2021)

Systemic inequities underpin disparities in COVID-19 risk and disease burden among historically marginalized populations across the United States. Black, Latinx, and American Indian populations have borne a disproportionate burden of the pandemic including in risk of exposure, transmission, case rates, severity of illness, and mortality, and those inequities are now extending to disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. In this brief, we highlight state-level strategies that aim to improve reporting of race and ethnicity data in vaccine distribution, use data to plan for allocation and distribution according to need, overcome systemic inequities that lead to differential access to COVID-19 vaccinations, and build trust in COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 vaccination processes. Governors may consider these strategies as ways to increase equity as they expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to all population groups. 

Yolande Pokam Tchuisseu, Jeremy Jacobs, Elaine Chhean, Andrea Thoumi, Hemi Tewarson, Shelby Hockenberry (November 2021)

In June 2021, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, and the National Academy for State Health Policy co-hosted a virtual summit on data and health equity. The summit convened state leaders from 20 states to discuss challenges and strategies for collecting, reporting and using race and ethnicity data to improve health equity during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue brief summarizes state strategies and experiences shared during the convening, as well as lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrea Thoumi, Kamaria Kaalund, Elaine Chhean, Shelby Hockenberry, Sweta Haldar, Hemi Tewarson (November 2021)

This brief synthesizes key accomplishments and lessons learned based on interviews with 10 state COVID-19 health equity task forces represented in the network. We interviewed state officials representing the following states: Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wisconsin. In addition, we highlight how the network informed or supported efforts led by these task forces. Lastly, the task forces reflected on focus areas to inform priority-setting for future initiatives to address equity and sustain efforts during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yolande Pokam Tchuisseu, Andrea Thoumi, Hemi Tewarson, Lauren Block, and Sweta Haldar (February 2021)

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, convene governor-appointed health equity COVID-19 task force leaders throughout the nation. This case study is part of a series that will feature innovative state practices to address health equity in COVID-19 response across the country. This case study draws its key findings from the Michigan Coronavirus Racial Disparities’ Interim Report and other sources to explore Michigan’s approach, key features, results to date, and lessons learned.

Sweta Haldar, Andrea Thoumi, Hemi Tewarson, and Elaine Chhean (July 2021)

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy convene governor-appointed health equity COVID-19 task force leaders throughout the nation. This case study is part of a series that features innovative state practices to address health equity in COVID-19 response across the country. This brief summarizes the unique structure of Virginia’s equity work, the strategy and actions taken to date, and success factors and lessons learned.

Elaine Chhean, Michelle DelFavero, Andrea Thoumi, Hemi Tewarson, Sweta Haldar, and Shelby Hockenberry (August 2021)

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, the National Academy for State Health Policy, and the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy convene governor-appointed health equity COVID-19 task force leaders throughout the nation. This case study is part of a series that features innovative state practices to address health equity in COVID-19 response across the country.

Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy convened stakeholders in May 2021 to discuss promising state strategies to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination rates and public-private partnerships to enhance state and local vaccine distribution efforts.

Session 1: Promising Practices from States to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Vaccination Rates

Session 2: Innovative Public-Private Partnerships to Support COVID-19 Vaccination Equity and Community Engagement