Using neighborhood disadvantage scores to make vaccine access fairer
Using Disadvantage Indices in Pandemic Vaccine Allocation and Beyond to Promote Health Opportunity
This project looks at whether using neighborhood disadvantage scores helped make COVID-19 vaccine access fairer for communities with worse health and less access to care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139513 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team studies how place-based disadvantage scores (which combine Census measures like income, education, and housing) were used to steer more vaccines to harder-hit neighborhoods during COVID-19. They will analyze statewide vaccine allocation plans, vaccination rates, and COVID-19 case data across U.S. neighborhoods to see what worked and what did not. The researchers work with an interdisciplinary team and a community advisory board to interpret results and suggest how these scores could be used in future pandemics, public health programs, or clinical outreach. Findings will look at both the benefits and potential downsides of using these scores for real-world decisions about who gets priority.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in neighborhoods identified as disadvantaged or communities affected by state vaccine-allocation policies are the most relevant groups for this research.
Not a fit: Individuals whose access problems are not tied to where they live, such as those already able to get private or workplace-based vaccination, may not see direct benefits from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help shape fairer vaccine and resource distribution policies that reduce health gaps for disadvantaged communities.
How similar studies have performed: Some programs and analyses suggest place-based indices helped reach underserved areas, but formal evidence is mixed and the rapid, varied adoption during COVID-19 means conclusions are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Thomas Harald — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Thomas Harald
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.