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. 2023 Oct;25(5):1211-1219.
doi: 10.1007/s10903-023-01508-y. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Innovative Approaches to Improve COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Among Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants: Lessons Learned from a Newly Established National Resource Center

Erin M Mann  1   2 , Michelle Weinberg  3 , Elizabeth Dawson-Hahn  4 , Sarah K Clarke  5 , Madison Olmsted  6 , Nathan Bertelsen  7 , Ridhi Arun  8 , Megan Keaveney  3 , Shanna Miko  9 , Amy Kircher  10 , Anna E Pendleton  11 , Brett Hendel-Paterson  12 , Shailendra Prasad  9   11 , William M Stauffer  9   11
Affiliations

Innovative Approaches to Improve COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Among Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants: Lessons Learned from a Newly Established National Resource Center

Erin M Mann et al. J Immigr Minor Health. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Effective COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) among refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities requires innovative approaches to address linguistic, cultural and community specific preferences. The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) is a CDC-funded initiative to support state and local health departments with COVID-19 response among RIM communities, including CICT. This note from the field will describe NRC-RIM and initial outcomes and lessons learned, including the use of human-centered design to develop health messaging around COVID-19 CICT; training developed for case investigators, contact tracers, and other public health professionals working with RIM community members; and promising practices and other resources related to COVID-19 CICT among RIM communities that have been implemented by health departments, health systems, or community-based organizations.

Keywords: COVID-19; Contact tracing; Immigrants; Migrants; Refugees.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Visual example of CICT Campaign focused on safety and increasing protection. Note: “English translation (top to bottom): Do all you can to protect your loved ones. Keep your distance and wear a mask at home if you have to.”
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Visual example of CICT campaign focused on awareness of COVID-19 contact tracing. Note: English translation (top to bottom): contact tracing can help our community. It’s an anonymous way to tell others that they might have been exposed to COVID-19 and encourage them to test. Learn more [URL]
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Visual example of CICT campaign focused on willingness to participate in COVID-19 contact tracing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Batalova J, Hanna M, Levesque C. Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-....
    1. Clark E, Fredricks K, Woc-Colburn L, Bottazzi ME, Weatherhead J. Disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant communities in the United States. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020;14(7):e0008484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008484. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing among Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) Populations: Important Considerations for Health Departments. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-uncov/php/rim-considerations.html.
    1. University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota establishes the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants. https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/university-minnesota-establishes....
    1. Washington Department of Social and Health Services. Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Latest News. https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/office-refugee-and-immigrant-assistance.