Examining how local COVID-19 policies affect mental health and healthcare access among different racial and socioeconomic groups.
The Impacts of County-Level COVID- 19 -Related Public Health and Social Policies on Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Mental Health and Healthcare Utilization
This study looks at how different public health rules during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health and healthcare access of people, especially those from Black and Latinx communities, to see how these rules helped or hurt them in 250 counties across the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10901957 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of county-level public health and social policies during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and healthcare utilization, particularly focusing on racial and socioeconomic disparities. By analyzing data from 250 counties across the United States, the study aims to understand how different policies, such as economic support or mandated closures, have influenced the well-being of vulnerable populations, especially Black and Latinx families. The research will utilize existing national datasets to assess these disparities and their correlation with local policies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly Black and Latinx families, who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not a fit: Patients who are not from the targeted racial or socioeconomic groups or those who have not experienced significant impacts from COVID-19 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective public health policies that reduce mental health disparities and improve healthcare access for marginalized communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that public health policies can significantly impact health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamad, Rita — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Hamad, Rita
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.