April 21, 2022
Promoting COVID-19 Prevention and Supporting BIPOC Communities During Minority Health Month
Providence Health Plan (PHP) is committed to reducing health disparities and achieving health equity through resources and outreach programs
April is National Minority Health Month (NMHM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health disparities that continue to impact racial and ethnic minority groups.
Health inequity has been an ongoing challenge for the healthcare industry, and more organizations including Providence Health Plan (PHP) are prioritizing solutions and initiatives to lessen the care gap. This year’s NMHM theme is “Giving Your Community A Boost,” empowering members of the BIPOC community to learn about and receive a COVID-19 booster shot.
Providing Ongoing COVID-19 Support
Throughout the pandemic, the BIPOC community was disproportionately affected by the virus, with Black Americans and members of the Latinx community being 2.5 times more likely to die from COVID-19. To help stop the spread of the virus, Providence Health Plan pursued several initiatives to support COVID-19 efforts in these communities in Oregon and Washington state. Providence’s Care Management team provided members with fact-based information on COVID-19 vaccines and offered free rides to and from vaccination appointments for Medicare members, making the experience as hassle-free as possible.
Vaccines offer the most protection from the coronavirus, with research showing booster shots provide even more protection against the emerging variants. Over the last two years, hundreds of thousands of Americans have died due to COVID-19, and many are dealing with the long-term side effects of the virus. Each emerging variant is proving more transmissible than the last, and the only way to ensure you have the highest level of protection is by getting a booster - and even a second booster - if you’re eligible. We remain focused on encouraging all members to do their part and get boosted to protect themselves and their communities. Please check out our Coronavirus Hub, which is continually updated with the latest information on the virus and vaccine options.