Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionate impacts across race, social class, and geography. Insufficient attention has been paid to addressing the massive inequities worsened by COVID-19. In July 2020, Partners In Health (PIH) and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) designed a four-module short course, “An Equity Approach to Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Emerging Insights from COVID-19 Global Response Leaders.” We describe the design and use of a case-based, short-course education model to transfer knowledge and skills in equity approaches to pandemic preparedness and response.MethodsThis course used case studies of Massachusetts and Navajo Nation in the U.S, and Rwanda to highlight examples of equity-centered pandemic response. A post-session assessment survey was completed by course participants after each of the four modules. A mixed-method analysis was conducted to understand knowledge acquisition on key topics and assess participants’ experience and satisfaction with the course. Additionally, a landscape analysis was conducted to identify other equity-centered courses for pandemic response offered previously and to compare the content, audience, and intended outcomes.Results Forty-four percent of participants identified, “Immediate need for skills and information to address COVID-19” as their primary reason for attending the course. Participants reported that they are very likely (4.75 out of 5) to use the information, tools, or skills from the course in their work. The average score for content related questions answered correctly was 82-88% for each session. Participants (~70-90%) said their understanding was Excellent or Very Good for each session. Participants expressed a deepened understanding of the importance of prioritizing vulnerable communities and built global solidarity.ConclusionParticipants viewed the training as highly relevant, well-presented, actionable, shareable, and contributed to a new level of understanding of the social determinants of health and equity issues surrounding pandemic preparedness, crisis response, and long-term population recovery. This course offered a clear analysis of the impact of racism on the pandemic in the United States, the intersection of racism and wealth inequality; the role of the social determinants of health in pandemic preparedness, outcomes and response; and the impacts of neocolonialism on pandemic response in low- and middle-income countries.
Disparities in health in the United States: An overview of the social determinants of health for otolaryngologists