Advisor(s)
Larrell Wilkinson
Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif
Committee Member(s)
Latisha Elopre
Stephanie McClure
Teneasha Washington
School
School of Education
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Health Education/Promotion (Education)
Date of Award
1-7-2025
Abstract
COVID-19 is caused by the novel and easily transmissible SARS-C0V-2 virus. SARS-C0V-2 was first reported in the Chinese Providence of Hubei in December 2019 and in the United States in January 2020. After nearly 120,000 confirmed global cases and 4,200 deaths in 114 countries, the WHO declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic in March of 2020. By fall of 2020, COVI9-19 had become the third leading cause of death in the United States. When compared to other groups, Black/African Americans were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to ongoing racial inequities/disparities including chronic illness. Black/African Americans who are more likely to be exposed, were also more likely to experience severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death following exposure to COVID-19. In order to mitigate the spread and impact of the novel coronavirus, the federal government invested unprecedented amounts of funding in developing COVID-19 vaccination. Despite increased risk, Black/African Americans have been distrusting and hesitant to accept vaccination. Black/African Americans have also been more likely to experience barriers to accessing the COVID-19 vaccines. The current study investigates racial disparities associated with COVID-19 and vaccination through the lens of Black/African American Community Health Workers (CHWs) in HHS Region 4 of the southeast. And the current study explores COVID-19 vaccination through a critical qualitative inquiry via Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Due to the complexities associated with vaccination hesitancy and acceptance an ecological framework was selected to guide this research. Due to racial disparities associated with COVID-19, a social ecological model of racism/anti-racism was selected. Study results revealed disempowerment of Black/African Americans at the systemic/societal level of ecology associated with political discourse, disparities in vaccine choices and access, institutional distrust, and disparities in the healthcare system. Study results also revealed empowerment at the institutional/community level of ecology through community-centered partnerships with local government, “The Church” and grassroots efforts. Study results imply additional work is needed to improve policy and practices that remedy systemic inequities experienced in marginalized communities and communities of color. Additional research is needed to improve responses to public health emergencies.
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Gray, Cecily A., "Black/African American Community Health Workers In Hhs Region 4 And Covid-19 Vaccination: Position Perspective And Power" (2025). All ETDs from UAB. 7253.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7253
