Improving COVID-19 testing trust in communities
Official title: Evaluating a Community-Led COVID-19 Testing Intervention to Address Mistrust
Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-11094172 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping low-income Black residents in Southeastern and Central Virginia feel more comfortable with public health services, especially after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, by creating a friendly program that encourages testing and vaccination through community support and trusted peer mentors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $267,357 |
| NIH project number | 6U01MD018316-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094172 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income Black residents living in Southeastern and Central Virginia who may be hesitant to seek COVID-19 testing due to mistrust in health institutions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in Southeastern and Central Virginia or those who do not identify with the target demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the mistrust that low-income Black residents in Southeastern and Central Virginia have towards public health institutions, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By developing a community-led intervention in collaboration with local partners, the project focuses on building trust through relationship-building activities and a Peer Mentor model. Participants will engage in a virtual COVID-19 testing intervention designed to encourage testing and vaccination by alleviating fears associated with positive results. The approach emphasizes the importance of community involvement and trust in promoting public health initiatives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance COVID-19 testing rates and vaccination uptake in communities that have historically faced mistrust in public health systems.
How similar studies have gone: Similar community-led interventions have shown promise in building trust and improving health outcomes in marginalized populations, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: England, Kelli — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: England, Kelli
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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.