The Missouri Foundation for Health released a new report that examines the challenges Black and Latino Missourians faced during the early months of the pandemic. The report highlights how inequities in response efforts hampered their reach and effectiveness, further exacerbating the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Black and Latino communities. It provides leaders in public health, health care, social services, and government sectors with key lessons that will create stronger, more equitable systems of care by:
- Increasing diversity among public health, health care, social service, and government decision-makers to improve awareness of the needs, preferences, and desires of Black and Latino community members
- Developing communication and outreach strategies that make public health and health care information and services accessible, affirming, and welcoming to Black and Latino community members
- Strengthening local partnerships among public health agencies, health care systems, and community groups to effectively reach and respectfully engage with Black and Latino community members
Although this report conveys the experiences of Black and Latino Missouri residents, its findings and recommendations may be relevant to many other states looking to rebuild community trust and engagement in the wake of the pandemic and within the context of health equity. It also comes at an opportune time for Missouri, as major investments are being made to improve and reimagine aspects of U.S. state and local public health systems.
The American Rescue Plan Act is infusing one-time funding to systems to jump-start this effort. In November 2022, Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grants from the CDC equipped the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services with nearly $50 million in funds to make such investments—$24 million of which is going to the 114 local public health agencies in the state. Those funds are intended to support the development and growth of the public health workforce, strengthen foundational public health capabilities and an ailing infrastructure, and modernize data systems. An intentional, guiding principle of this grant is that all work must be in support of diversity and health equity.