Assistant professor Colorado State University Pueblo
This project addressed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Alabama’s rural Black Belt region by collaborating with community health workers. By successfully addressing challenges such as mistrust and limited healthcare access, the initiative contributed to enhancing vaccination rates. Findings emphasize the importance of culturally competent, community-driven approaches in social work education.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
To discuss how barriers (e.g., limited healthcare access, distrust in government and healthcare institutions) contribute to vaccine hesitancy in underserved, particularly rural, populations.
To assess the role of community health workers and culturally tailored outreach in improving vaccination rates in underserved communities.
To explore the significance of culturally competent outreach strategies in public health interventions and develop skills for engaging and collaborating with diverse communities to promote health equity.
