Puipuia le Ola: Increasing Reach and Uptake of COVID-19 Testing Among Pacific Islanders in Hawaii and Guam

Non-Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (PI), defined as indigenous people having origins in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau, have among the highest COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality rates in the U.S. PI also suffer from medical co-morbidities known to increase their risk of severe COVID-19. In addition, PI have poor access to health care, inadequate or no health insurance, live in multi-generational or multi-family overcrowded housing, and have low-paying service jobs that expose them to the infected public. In Hawaii, PI comprise only 4% of the State's population but account for more than 20% of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The long-term goal was to reduce COVID-19 disparities among PI. The overall objective was to use culturally resonant community-engagement strategies to increase the reach and uptake of COVID-19 testing to better understand SARS-CoV-2 infection patterns among PI in Hawaii and on Guam. The multi-disciplinary investigative team comprises of physicians and community health workers, community-engaged researchers and basic and applied scientists. Strong support from the institution, community, and local government attest to the urgency of this RADx-UP Community-Engagement Testing Research Project.