Using AI and social innovation to improve COVID-19 testing in African American communities
Official title: Leveraging artificial intelligence and social innovation to reduce disparities in COVID-19 testing among African Americans (Supplement)
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10991454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to help African Americans get tested for COVID-19 more easily, especially when they might be feeling tired of the pandemic, by using smart technology and new ways to share information that can boost their motivation and clear up any confusion.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,002,069 |
| NIH project number | 7U01MD018306-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American individuals who may experience barriers to COVID-19 testing due to social or medical vulnerabilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of the African American community or those who do not face barriers to COVID-19 testing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address the barriers that African Americans face in accessing COVID-19 testing, particularly in the context of pandemic fatigue. It utilizes artificial intelligence and innovative communication strategies to enhance motivation for testing and to counter misinformation. By understanding how emotions and perceptions influence testing behaviors, the project seeks to develop effective interventions that can sustain COVID-19 mitigation efforts in underserved populations. The approach includes analyzing how different messaging can impact perceived risk and testing uptake.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to COVID-19 testing for African Americans, ultimately helping to control the pandemic in vulnerable communities.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that targeted communication strategies can effectively improve health behaviors in underserved populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ritchwood, Tiarney D — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ritchwood, Tiarney D
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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.