Enhancing Health Literacy for Equitable Community Response to COVID-19

What is HealthLit4Wake?

HealthLit4Wake is a collaborative initiative between Wake County Human Services (WCHS), NC Counts coalition and other community organizations, designed to elevate health literacy and promote equitable community responses to COVID-19 across 35 census tracts in urban areas within Wake County, North Carolina. Aligned with the objectives outlined in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Healthy People 2030 initiative, WCHS and NC Counts spearhead a coalition of diverse stakeholders, including governmental agencies, community organizations, and individuals, to achieve the following key objectives:

• Advancing Health Literacy: Targeting racial and ethnic minorities and other socially vulnerable groups most affected by COVID-19, HealthLit4Wake aims to enhance health literacy through targeted educational initiatives, ensuring communities have access to accurate and understandable information regarding COVID-19 prevention, safety measures, and vaccination.
• Addressing Social Determinants of Health: In recognition of the multifaceted impact of social determinants on health outcomes, the program extends beyond traditional health education efforts to incorporate complementary services that address underlying social determinants, such as access to healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities.
• Accomplishments: Over the course of the project, more than 500 individuals have actively participated in listening sessions and text surveys conducted across Wake County, sharing their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on health information. These sessions have been conducted in both English and Spanish, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

In its final year, HealthLit4Wake has focused on engaging youth and understanding their perspectives on COVID-19 and the dissemination of health information. Specifically, the program has examined how information was shared with youth during the pandemic and post-emergency status declaration. By incorporating youth voices into its initiatives, HealthLit4Wake aims to tailor future health literacy efforts to better meet the needs and preferences of this demographic.

How does health equity work impact me?

Moving forward, the information provided from the extensive community engagement efforts will inform targeted interventions and strategies for mitigating COVID-19 disparities, advancing health literacy, and improving social determinants of health within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities across Wake County.