Increasing COVID-19 self-testing among underserved Asian Americans
Project IMPROVE: Implementing Community-Engaged Intervention Research to Increase Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Self-Testing Among Diverse Underserved and Vulnerable Asian Americans
This study is working to help low-income Asian Americans, especially those who may not speak English well, get easier access to COVID-19 self-tests so they can safely test at home and stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10616921 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to improve access to COVID-19 self-testing for low-income Asian Americans, particularly those with limited English proficiency. It addresses barriers such as discrimination, fear of testing sites, and lack of culturally relevant information. The project will implement community-engaged interventions to promote the use of FDA-approved over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, empowering individuals to test themselves in the comfort of their homes. By focusing on multigenerational households and crowded living conditions, the research seeks to enhance testing rates and ultimately reduce COVID-19 infections in these vulnerable communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are low-income Asian Americans living in crowded conditions, particularly those with limited English proficiency.
Not a fit: Patients who are not Asian American or those who do not face barriers to COVID-19 testing may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase COVID-19 testing rates among underserved Asian Americans, leading to earlier detection and better management of the virus.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in implementing self-testing interventions in communities with access barriers, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Temple Univ of the Commonwealth — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Grace X. — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Ma, Grace X.
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.