Dataset from Community-Driven Optimization of COVID-19 Testing to Reach and Engage Underserved Areas for Testing Equity (CO-CREATE)

Background: During the pandemic in California, there was a need to deliver simple, rapid, and inexpensive FDA-authorized COVID-19 testing using community-driven, contextually relevant strategies to accelerate testing uptake among underserved populations. San Ysidro was selected as the focus of this prototype two-year community-engaged testing research study since it is one of the poorest communities in San Diego, had the highest incidence of COVID-19 cases in the county, and is geographically distant from major health centers limiting access to testing.

Materials/Methods: The San Ysidro Health (SYC) Maternal and Child Health Center (MCHC) was chosen as the focal point. Leveraging regular prenatal and pediatric care visits, the study engaged families in COVID-19 testing in this otherwise hard-to-reach population. A multi-level community-engaged approach was implemented in partnership with a diverse Community and Scientific Advisory Board to design, implement, and evaluate strategies for accelerating COVID-19 testing among pregnant women and children.

Outcome/Impact: The project developed contextually relevant strategies that accelerated the delivery and uptake of COVID-19 testing among underserved populations in San Ysidro, with a particular focus on maternal and child health. The approach supported scaling across the entire San Ysidro community of 27,000 residents and provided a model for addressing inequities in testing access in similar underserved communities.