Virtual engagement of under-resourced communities: Lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic for creating crisis-resistant research infrastructure.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased need to conduct research and community engagement using digital methods. Unfortunately, the shift away from in-person research activities can make it difficult to engage and recruit participants from under-resourced communities that lack adequate digital infrastructure. At the beginning of the pandemic, our team recognized that imminent lockdowns would significantly disrupt ongoing engagement with low-income housing resident community partners and that we would ultimately bear responsibility if that occurred.

Understanding the preference for receiving mental health and substance use support in African Americans 50 and older.

Objective: This study aims to determine whether current tobacco and/or alcohol use is associated with setting preferences for seeking support for substance use (SU) and mental health (MH) services to African Americans ages 50 and older.

Methods: Data from 368 African American individuals (aged 50+) who participated in a community-based needs assessment survey were used. Preferences included community-based (e.

Creating structural community cohesion: Addressing racial equity in older adult homelessness.

Older adults and racial minorities are overrepresented in homeless populations. Shelter and housing options for homeless older adults who have complex health and social needs are necessary, but not readily available. Older homeless adults that require, but do not receive, health-sensitive, age-sensitive, and racial equity housing, remain vulnerable to poor outcomes and premature mortality.

The Healthy Meal Program: A food insecurity screening and referral program for urban dwelling older adults.

Objective: To describe the Healthy Meal Program (HMP), a community-academic partnership that aims to address the food insecurity and social isolation in older adults living in an urban setting.

Program Implementation: Low-income older adults were screened for food insecurity and social isolation. A partnership with the food bank and a farm-based organization helped provide a weekly congregate or home-delivered meal, pilot a cooking class, and offer a mobile market selling fresh vegetables at discounted prices.