Nassau County Health Disparities Study – COVID-19 Barriers

JSI is assessing the experiences, attitudes and barriers ten priority communities of color face in receiving COVID-19 testing, treatment, vaccination and related services. in the Nassau County, New York. The priority communities for this study are Baldwin, Elmont, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Long Beach, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Valley Stream, and Westbury. 

Our approach is rooted in community-based participatory research. JSI has partnered with Choice for All, a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance child, family, and community wellbeing on Long Island and beyond. Their vision is that one day, all children will be healthy and thrive on Long Island, regardless of zip code. Choice for All leads community engagement activities, including the development of a community advisory board. Choice for All is fully integrated into leadership and project teams.

This health disparities study will employ a mixed methods  approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study is divided into four main activities:  

1. A rapid assessment literature review on COVID-19-related barriers to treatment access as well as vaccine uptake;
2. A cross-sectional survey focusing  on  COVID-19 vaccine experiences including barriers to vaccine uptake among Nassau County residents;
3. A targeted cross-sectional survey on disparities and social determinants of COVID-19 including barriers to testing, treatment, and vaccine uptake among 10 priority communities in Nassau county that have a large percentage of residents who are people of color; and
4. A series of focus groups to  provide context and further collect information about COVID-19-related matters in priority communities