***PROGRESS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS: RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ACTION (PCHP) 18.4. FORTHCOMING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.***
ABSTRACT
Background: Essential to the global elimination of viral hepatitis are insights and guidelines on how to coordinate and sustain community health efforts during times of public health crises. A community-based participatory research-driven academic-community-government (ACG) partnership was formed to improve the hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening and vaccination infrastructure for at-risk communities in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region.
Objectives: We describe the challenges and innovative adjustments made by the partnership to provide continued prevention modalities to reduce HBV during the earlier phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted to assess program implementation facilitators and barriers.
Results: Three thematic categories about the pandemic’s impact on the ACG partnership emerged: innovations in hepatitis screening, access and linkage-to-care, and collaborative leadership. Lessons learned included the need to identify gaps in care, foster a safe environment for patients and staff, and provide technical assistance to enhance health information technology and systems infrastructure.
Conclusions: Despite COVID-19, partnership members remained agile and responsive to community needs. Sustaining an effective ACG partnership requires regular and transparent communication, as well as shared and equal decision-making opportunities.