By Delaware State University
Delaware Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Health has awarded Delaware State University a $203,698 contract grant to address a critical component of COVID-19 health disparities by providing community outreach around the COVID-19 vaccine.
The project entitled, “Strategies to Effectively Promote Vaccination for Universal Coverage Project (STEP-For-U Project)” employs several health communication principles that engage community members and build rapport, enhance understanding, trust, empathy, and knowledge. The outreach activities include engaging migrant-based religious organizations, African-American-based denominations, as well as door-to-door campaigns in selected census tracts in Kent and Sussex counties.
The PI and Co-PI – Dr. Raymond Tutu, chair of the Department of Sociology, and Dr. Anwar Ouassini, Associate Professor of Sociology – have built a team of community partners, community advocates, medical experts, and community organizers to assist in this outreach effort. These organizations included TB Consulting LLC (led by Ms. Alicia Clark), First State Educate (Ms. Sade Truiett), and Medical Society of Delaware (represented by Dr. Cindy Siu).
