IGP-2011-16448

This investment is to support some immediate and emergent needs of the United Health Organization (UHO), and the Wayne County Oral Health Coalition that they operate, in disseminating oral health supplies and education locally to underserved communities. In Michigan, African Americans make up 13-14% of the population but have accounted for nearly 40% of the COVID-19 deaths in the state. More specifically, the work of the Wayne County coalition, and the coalition itself, has been dramatically impacted as a result of COVID-19 as the primary communities where the work is being done have been some of the hardest hit by the pandemic. As a result of this, United Health Organization launched the “Faith over COVID” project to pair the dissemination of oral health supplies and oral health education with COVID-19 testing sites happening in partnership with health ministries in Detroit. The events have been critical touch points between the UHO and the coalition members to regenerate conversations about moving their work forward. Additionally, these events have been so successful that their supplies are unable to meet the demand. This investment is for oral health supplies to be shared at the local events, helping to continue to build a bridge between UHO and the coalition members. The ongoing success of these events will also allow for UHO to support opportunities for underserved communities, and communities of color, to participate in COVID-19 research so as to better understand the impact on the population. This investment is for $10,000 and is for oral health supplies along with some time for implementing the Faith over COVID” events.