BIPoC Trans Ignored in COVID Health Communications

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BlPoC Trans/Gender Non-conforming Community Ignored In COVID-19 Health Communications

S. David, Program Director, Vaccine Equity and Access Program (VEAP)

Introduction

The VEAP program, funded by the CDC, is a collaborative effort with Community Catalyst aimed at addressing health disparities in underserved communities of color. Community Catalyst partners with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that have strong ties to these communities. The program focuses on equipping and training CBOs to raise awareness about the importance of COVID-19/flu vaccines. In 2021, Trans(forming) joined the VEAP program as one of the participating CBOs.

The Problem

It was challenging to locate COVID-19/flu health communications and campaigns specifically tailored for TGNCNB folks in general, and BIPoC transmen/transmasc, gender non-conforming, and non-binary folks in particular, which are the focus of the CBO Trans(forming). Effective health communications and campaigns must address health disparities, social determinants of health, and foster partnerships with community members to disseminate information. TGNCNB individuals face misgendering, bullying, violence, and discrimination, often face a lack of support due to estrangement from family, friends, and the larger community. They experience high rates of unemployment and underemployment due to discrimination, resulting in no health insurance and out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The choice between paying for gender-affirming care, such as HRT and surgeries, or COVID-19/flu vaccines has been a dilemma, especially since the end of the federal mandate that provided free COVID-19 vaccines. If TGNCNB individuals cannot find vaccine providers that also offer gender-affirming care, they may opt to forego vaccination due to the fear and pain associated with potential discrimination and disdain. Additionally, there was a lack of data on vaccine uptake within the community.

The Solution

Develop and create health communication campaigns for social media that target BIPoC transmen/transmasc, gender non-conforming, non-binary community. The TGNCNB community engages heavily with digital content on social media, using it as a platform to build connections, share and seek resources, and stay informed about community events. Analyze social media metrics to gauge the effectiveness of these campaigns. Produce marketing materials for distribution at TGNCNB events and design a form to record event details, attendance, vaccination status, and the distribution of marketing materials. Additionally, develop health communication campaigns for Trans(forming)'s website, social media, and member/supporter newsletters. Foster relationships with medical professionals, health equity advocates, and social media influencers who are BIPoC, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming, to promote health campaigns that encourage vaccination against COVID-19 and the flu. Partner with vaccine providers, hospitals, and clinics that offer no-cost vaccines and gender-affirming care. Create a survey to ascertain community members' vaccination status for COVID-19/boosters and the flu, and their reasons for their choices. Utilize survey insights to direct health communication campaign efforts.

The Result

We recruited a BIPoC transman medical student and a BIPoC non-binary MPH to serve as our social media influencers and disseminate our health communications and campaigns. The medical student produced a PSA video urging the TGNCNB community to receive the COVID-19/flu vaccines and also shared a video of himself getting vaccinated. Additionally, two BIPoC transmen from Trans(forming) made videos explaining their reasons for getting vaccinated and its importance to them.

We directed the community to Grady Hospital, which has a gender-affirming clinic and provided free COVID-19 vaccines, as well as to the Emory Hope Clinic, which focuses on gender affirming care and offered free COVID-19 vaccines and testing twice weekly.

A 2022 survey revealed that participants believed the COVID-19 vaccine was sufficient and doubted the necessity or efficacy of the flu shot. More participants received the initial COVID-19 vaccine than the boosters. Some did not receive the initial vaccine due to mistrust, and for the same reasons, they also avoided the flu shot. In response, we crafted health communications to educate the community that COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent the flu and the importance of receiving it; the need to stay updated with COVID-19 vaccines to protect against variants; and the increased risks of hospitalization, long COVID, and death for those who forego COVID-19 vaccinations.

Social media metrics indicated that the community engaged with the health communications and campaigns shared by Trans(forming) and our social media influencers. The community also interacted with our health communication marketing materials distributed at community events.

Health Communications/Campaigns