Families USA, a leading national voice for healthcare consumers, recognized the need to address the deep-rooted health inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly within Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. The organization sought to foster equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution and build long-term infrastructures to address systemic health disparities. To achieve these goals, Families USA required a comprehensive research initiative that would inform policy recommendations and support community-engaged efforts to promote vaccine equity.

Since its founding in 1981, Families USA has been dedicated to advancing high-quality, affordable healthcare for all, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and deepened existing health inequities, prompting Families USA to launch the "Building a New Normal Through Vaccine Equity" initiative. This initiative aimed to ensure that BIPOC communities were prioritized in vaccine distribution and that the lessons learned could help address broader health inequities. Families USA partnered with Symphonic Strategies to conduct research that would inform this initiative, including focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders and community members across multiple states.

Symphonic Strategies was engaged to design and implement a comprehensive research initiative that would gather insights from BIPOC communities and inform policy recommendations. The approach included conducting focus groups, deploying surveys, and facilitating interviews with community leaders and Medicaid enrollees. The goal was to identify barriers to vaccine access, understand the needs of BIPOC communities, and provide actionable insights for policymakers.

The research initiative was conducted through the following steps:

1. Design and Development of Research Tools: Symphonic Strategies developed a detailed research protocol, including focus group guides, consent forms, and survey instruments. These tools were designed to capture the specific challenges faced by BIPOC communities and to gather qualitative and quantitative data on vaccine access and broader health inequities.

2. Recruitment and Engagement of Participants: The team identified and engaged community-based organizations, faith leaders, and grassroots organizers across five target states (Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, North Carolina, and Washington) to participate in the focus groups. Additionally, Medicaid enrollees from five other states (California, Idaho, Louisiana, Ohio, and Utah) were recruited for surveys and interviews.

3. Conducting Focus Groups and Interviews: Symphonic Strategies conducted two rounds of focus groups, each involving in-depth discussions with community leaders and members. These discussions were complemented by one-on-one interviews with Medicaid enrollees, focusing on their experiences with healthcare access and vaccine distribution during the pandemic.

4. Data Analysis and Reporting: The data collected from focus groups, surveys, and interviews were meticulously analyzed to identify key themes and insights. The findings were compiled into a comprehensive report, which included detailed recommendations for policymakers on how to support vaccine equity and address long-standing health disparities.

The "Building a New Normal Through Vaccine Equity" initiative resulted in several significant outcomes for Families USA:

- Identification of Key Barriers: The research highlighted persistent structural barriers to healthcare access, such as language barriers, transportation issues, and mistrust in the healthcare system. These insights were crucial in shaping targeted interventions to improve vaccine equity.

- Informed Policy Recommendations: The findings informed a set of actionable policy recommendations that emphasized the importance of including BIPOC voices in the policymaking process, designing holistic interventions, and addressing the integrated needs of communities of color.

- Enhanced Community Engagement: The initiative underscored the importance of deep and meaningful community engagement beyond simple outreach campaigns. It emphasized the need for policymakers to build authentic relationships with community leaders and to ensure that their input is reflected in policy decisions.

Families USA’s experience demonstrates the importance of robust, community-engaged research in informing policy and addressing systemic health inequities. By partnering with Symphonic Strategies, the organization was able to gather critical insights that will shape efforts to build a more equitable healthcare system in the post-pandemic world.

Is your organization ready to address systemic health inequities and promote vaccine equity? Contact Symphonic Strategies today to learn how our research and strategic planning services can help you achieve your goals.