Addressing Low-Income Housing Resident Mistrust in COVID-19 Guidance

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine how perceived legitimacy of important institutions and mistrust in sources of COVID-19 information affect compliance with public health guidance designed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, including maintaining physical distancing, mask-wearing, testing, and vaccination.

Materials/Methods: This study recruited low-income housing residents who formed a core sample for multiple waves of research activities. The core participant group was equipped with tablets with HD webcams, internet connectivity for the duration of the study, and basic digital literacy instruction and technical support. Participants were asked to complete online assessments and participate in focus groups throughout the two-year study period.

Outcome/Impact: The study increased the effectiveness of COVID-19 outreach and guidance in low-income housing communities by addressing vaccine hesitancy and poor compliance with public health guidance, using telehealth to address mistrust, and developing community-informed strategies to make testing more relevant and address testing concerns.