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Health Equity in Action
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Health equity is achieved when everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. We all have a role to play to address injustices and overcome obstacles to health and health care. During the COVID-19 response, CDC continues to focus its health equity efforts on populations placed at higher risk for COVID-19 and other severe outcomes. Learn more about CDC’s work with funded partners to help reduce health disparities related to COVID-19 by reading the project showcases below.
Visit the CDC COVID-19 Response Health Equity Strategy to learn more.
Project Spotlight
Pilot Vaccination & Testing Event at Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln, Alabama
Populations of focus: People in rural Alabama
Purpose: Conduct a free drive-through COVID-19 testing and vaccination site at the famed NASCAR racetrack in Lincoln, Alabama. Vaccination coverage in Alabama is among the lowest in the nation, so this event targeted a particularly key population. Vaccination rates in rural areas, particularly among men, are considered the lowest in the state.
Partners: Talladega Superspeedway, Alabama Department of Public Health, HHS’s Increasing Community Access to Testing, or ICATT, CDC Foundation and the Alabama National Guard
COVID-19 Health Equity Projects
Pilot Vaccination & Testing Event at Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln, Alabama
Population of focus: People in rural Alabama
Purpose: Conduct a free drive-through COVID-19 testing and vaccination site at the famed NASCAR racetrack in Lincoln, Alabama. Vaccination coverage in Alabama is among the lowest in the nation, so this event targeted a particularly key population. Vaccination rates in rural areas, particularly among men, are considered the lowest in the state.
Partners: Talladega Superspeedway, Alabama Department of Public Health, HHS’s Increasing Community Access to Testing, or ICATT, CDC Foundation and the Alabama National Guard
Project Description: People who were tested or vaccinated were rewarded with the opportunity to complete two laps in their own vehicle around the banked turns of the 2.66-mile-long speedway, going up to 90 or more miles per hour, staying behind the pace car.
Though not as fast as actual racecar drivers go, the experience was still thrilling. More on The Race to End COVID-19, Race to End COVID: Talladega – Talladega Superspeedway
Lessons Learned: Overall, the crowd that showed up was smaller than anticipated. 124 people got tested, with none receiving a positive result. A preliminary review of 110 surveys conducted during the event indicated that the majority of those attending the event showed up because of the incentive (77%) and traveled from more than five miles away. Additionally, 39% had never been tested before the event. Among those surveyed, the vast majority were white (90%) and male (71%). The largest age groups for males were ages 18-24 and 55-64.
The Alabama National Guard provided 86 total vaccine doses, either the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. A few people were both tested and vaccinated on site.
While the attendance fell short of our aspirations for this initial pilot effort, the launch proved successful in several ways.
First, social and network media positively covered the event. Celebrity race car driver Jeff Gordon joined influencers from the public health community to tweet support. Media coverage included local news site AL.com and multiple major national outlets, including CNN, Fox News, and Bleacher Report. We hope the positive coverage from this event will have a ripple effect and garner more enthusiasm for future raceway events, and interest NASCAR fans in testing and vaccination.
Second, this effort created partnerships that didn’t exist before. It was the first time that CDC has partnered with NASCAR, and we’re in discussions about future events. This collaboration showed the potential for new, non-traditional partnerships that can help reach key populations.
Another gratifying aspect is that CDC was able to step back, provide support as needed, but let partners like the Alabama Department of Public Health, NASCAR and Talladega shine. Plus, it was fun and got people excited. Everyone who attended ended up with a genuine smile. This is significant, because it means a sizeable group of people will now associate vaccines and testing with a positive experience and tell others. Race to End Covid: Partner Playbook for Testing and Vaccination Events is being used to develop vaccination events in Indiana and Delaware.
Other Resources
More on Health Equity
- Health Equity and Disparities
- Health Equity Guiding Principles
- Racism and Health
- Social Determinants of Health
- What We Can Do to Promote Health Equity
Vaccine Equity
- Equity in Adult Vaccination
- A Guide for Community Partners: Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Members of Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities pdf icon[1.7 MB, 22 Pages]
- COVID-19 Vaccine Equity: Best Practices for Community and Faith-Based Organizations pdf icon[332 KB, 2 Pages]
Featured Webinars
- Motivate to Vaccinate: National Month of Action for COVID-19 Vaccinesexternal icon (July 8, 2021)
- Promising Practices in Health Equityexternal icon (June 2, 2020)
Communications
- Print Resources
Posters, guides, checklists - Resources for Disproportionately Affected Communities