Supporting COVID-19 Prevention and Testing for Marginalized and Minoritized Youth and Young Adults

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess patterns and disparities in COVID-19 testing and preventive behaviors among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) and racial and ethnic minority youth (REMY), and to develop a tailored, evidence-based intervention to address those disparities. These populations faced unique structural and social barriers during the pandemic, including stigma, discrimination, and inconsistent access to accurate health information, which contributed to increased vulnerability and lower uptake of preventive behaviors.

Materials/Methods: This study employed a geographically diverse quantitative survey conducted over six months to assess longitudinal patterns in COVID-19 testing and preventive behaviors, while examining the impact of multilevel factors such as stigma and policy. Findings from the survey informed the iterative development of a community-engaged health messaging intervention guided by the Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research team collaborated with SGMY and REMY participants to co-design the intervention, provisionally titled Prev_Cvd. The text messaging based intervention was pilot tested among participants to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and message clarity. The participatory development process ensured that the intervention content was both culturally relevant and responsive to the unique health communication needs of the target population.

Outcome/Impact: The study successfully developed and refined the first evidence-based, community-informed messaging intervention for COVID-19 prevention among young sexual and gender minority and racial and ethnic minority populations. Pilot results demonstrated that Prev_Cvd was feasible, acceptable, and capable of promoting engagement with preventive behaviors and testing. The intervention provided a scalable framework that could be rapidly expanded to reduce COVID-19 disparities among youth and mitigate transmission in marginalized communities.