Responding to COVID-19 in an Uninsured Hispanic/Latino Community: Testing, Education and Telehealth at a Free Clinic in Providence

摘要

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the effects ofexisting health disparities throughout the United States.While Hispanic/Latino individuals account for only16% of the Rhode Island (RI) population, Rhode IslandDepartment of Health (RIDOH) data show that 45% ofCOVID-19 cases and 36% of individuals who have beenhospitalized identify as Hispanic/Latino. Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic (CEHC) mobilized a comprehensiveeffort to offer telehealth visits, health education andaccessible, walk-up COVID-19 testing for low-income,uninsured and Spanish-speaking individuals living inRhode Island. With support from CEHC volunteers,the City of Providence, the State of Rhode Island, andlocal foundations, CEHC has administered 1,649 individualCOVID-19 tests as of October 2020. The overallCOVID-19 test positivity rate at CEHC was 23%, peakingin April at 48%. Additionally, CEHC has distributedmore than 1,600 meal boxes to patients experiencingfood insecurity, provided emergency financial resources,while rapidly scaling up healthcare services for theincreasing numbers of uninsured individuals in RI.