Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics - Underserved Populations (RADx-UP): The Puerto Rico Community Action Research and Engagement (PR-CARE) to Eliminate Disparities of COVID-19 among Rural Underserved and Vulnerable Populations. Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics - Underserved Populations (RADx-UP): The Puerto Rico Community Action Research and Engagement (PR-CARE) to Eliminate Disparities of COVID-19 among Rural Underserved and Vulnerable Populations

In Puerto Rico, the COVID-19 burden in the elderly population is significant as 23% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases and 75% of the deaths have been reported in this group with a low testing rate (3.4 per 100,000) in those > 65 years. The knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices about the risk of infection from COVID-19, symptoms, testing and vaccination, remain a public health concern in Puerto Rico. In 2019, 21.3% of the population living in PR were elderly (> 65 years) with 43.3% living in poverty, were isolated, and medically vulnerable due to their chronic diseases. Isolation for elders has been exacerbated due to the high rate of migration of their family members that culturally cared and lookout for them. The Puerto Rico Community Action Research and Engagement (PR-CARE)... (for more see dbGaP study page.)