Meharry Medical College recently announced it received a $1.1 million grant from the Truist Foundation. This grant will help develop a national model for Covid-19 contact tracing. The goal is to help limit the spread of the virus, particularly among minority populations who have been most impacted by Covid-19.
The project aims to trace the spread of the virus through social media and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping as a way to identify hotspots throughout the nation. This work will be in conjunction with local health departments and their efforts to combat Covid-19.
“My team and I are delighted to partner with Meharry Medical College, particularly given the institution’s commitment to working with underserved communities in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Lynette Bell, Truist Foundation President. “Through Meharry’s unique outreach and technology resources, the college has the ability to lead the nation’s contact tracing efforts and address the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on minority communities.”
The initiatives will be facilitated by Meharry’s Center for the Study of Social Determinants of Health (CSSDH). This project will be an extension of the CSSDH’s efforts to promote health equity and address health disparities, all of which will be done through advanced data and tailored interventions for populations that are most vulnerable.
CSSDH will use the grant to integrate patient-centered tools, predictive analytics and research registries in an effort to understand how the pandemic is impacting minority populations. This valuable data will be leveraged to support health organizations nationwide.
“The Center for the Study of Social Determinants of Health is committed to developing real, actionable solutions to address COVID-19 and its ongoing impact on the underserved,” said Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry Medical College. “The pandemic has put a spotlight on health disparities across our country and Meharry stands more than ready to lead the fight in limiting the spread of the virus and creating equitable change.”
Founded in 2020, CSSDH has focused its research on understanding the connection between health care disparities among minority populations and social. With a precision medicine approach, CSSDH informs the development of digital tools to provide evidence-based, individualized and low-burden interventions to enhance care for underserved communities.
To learn more about the Center’s research, initiatives, and response to COVID-19, please visit: www.sdoh.center.
