Helping Black and Latinx patients with rheumatic diseases get recommended COVID-19 vaccines
Official title: Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groupswith Rheumatic Diseases
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11061299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project helps Black and Latinx adults living with autoimmune rheumatic diseases get their recommended COVID-19 vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $614,732 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD019235-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Black or Latinx adults aged 21 or older who have an autoimmune rheumatic disease and may need help with COVID-19 vaccination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses or do not have an autoimmune rheumatic disease may not directly benefit from this specific program.
What this research studies
Many Black and Latinx adults with autoimmune rheumatic diseases have not received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. This project creates a special program that includes personal stories from vaccinated patients and support from a patient navigator. We will test this program in a large group of patients to see if it helps more people get vaccinated. Our goal is to make it easier for patients to understand vaccine recommendations and overcome any challenges to getting their shots.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly increase COVID-19 vaccine rates among Black and Latinx patients with rheumatic diseases, potentially improving their health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Community-engaged methods and patient navigation have shown promise in improving health behaviors in other areas, but this specific combination for COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this patient group is being newly tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Danila, Maria Ioana — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Danila, Maria Ioana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups with Rheumatic Diseases
A patient-facing program tests a multi-modal approach using storytelling videos and trained patient navigators to help Black and Latinx adults with autoimmune rheumatic diseases get recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
-
Long-term immune and health effects of COVID-19 in people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases
This project looks at how COVID-19 changes immune responses and causes lingering symptoms in people with autoimmune rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
-
Effects of COVID-19 on patients with autoimmune diseases
This study is looking at how COVID-19 affects people with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, to better understand their immune responses and how their treatments might change their reactions to the virus and vaccines, ultimately aiming to improve their health outcomes.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Modifying body fat to aid COVID-19 recovery through behavioral strategies
A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
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.