BWH Health Equity Grants in the Community: Observations and Lessons from COVID-19

While notable advances have taken place in health care, significant health inequities persist for communities of color, which are largely attributable to systemic racism and socioeconomic injustices. In 2016, guided by the BWH Community Advisory Committee, Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Center for Community Health and Health Equity (BWH CCHHE) established an innovative health equity grant funding opportunity. The funding was targeted at community organizations working closely with communities of color to implement innovative approaches addressing health inequities for individuals and families in BWH priority neighborhoods (Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, Roxbury). The main areas of focus for funding were employment opportunities, psychological wellness, culturally appropriate services, and community engagement. With the second three-year grant cycle starting in 2019, BWH was able to learn from and work with grantees through the COVID-19 pandemic. Grantees mobilized to respond to emerging and urgent needs of local residents. This required the CBOs to shift and expand support services provided and respond to larger health inequities such as housing, economic and food security. This poster will provide an overview of the work of current grantees, program participants, and key observations from grantee efforts reported during the pandemic.