What is already known on this topic? African Americans are more likely to contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), be hospitalized for it, and die of the disease when compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Psychosocial, sociocultural, and environmental vulnerabilities, compounded by preexisting health conditions, exacerbate this health disparity. What is added by this report? This report adds to an understanding of the interconnected historical, policy, clinical, and community factors associated with pandemic risk, which underpin community-based participatory research approaches to advance the art and science of community engagement among African Americans in the COVID-19 era. What are the implications for public health practice? When considered together, the factors detailed in this commentary create opportunities for new approaches to intentionally engage socially vulnerable African Americans. The proposed response strategies will proactively prepare public health leaders for the next pandemic and advance community leadership toward health equity.

Background The community-based participatory research (CBPR)-driven health needs assessment was a tool used to inform community-led, -implemented, and -sustained research and prevention strategies. Methods The Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (MSM PRC) research and prevention initiatives are implemented in direct response to priorities identified through this process and tool. Led by a community-majority coalition board, the assessment coupled state and city secondary data with primary survey data collected by and from community residents. Results Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and sexually transmitted infections were most frequently cited individual and community health priorities. Lack of social and family cohesion, limited or no opportunities to exercise, poor nutrition and lack of awareness and knowledge about diseases, and insufficient access to affordable health care were cited determinants of health priorities. Conclusions The CBPR-driven community health needs assessment (CHNA) informed and established a data-driven community engaged research agenda, policy, systems and environmental change approaches, community-led grants and job creation leveraging neighborhood contexts and strengths.

Despite improvements in oral health status in the United States, pronounced racial/ethnic disparities exist. Black men are less likely to visit the dentist, are twice as likely to experience tooth decay, and have a significantly lower 5-year oral cancer survival rate when compared to White men. The Minority Men's Oral Health Dental Access Program employed a community-based participatory research approach to examine the oral health barriers and opportunities for intervention among Black men in a low-income, urban neighborhood. A cross-sectional study design was implemented through a self-administered survey completed among 154 Black males. The majority reported not having dental insurance (68.8%). Most frequently cited oral health care barriers were lack of dental insurance and not being able to afford dental care. Attitudes related to the significance of dental care centered on cancer prevention and feeling comfortable with one's smile. The impact of oral health on daily life centered on social interaction, with men citing insecurities associated with eating, talking, and smiling due to embarrassment with how their teeth/mouth looked to others. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that those who had difficulty finding dental care were 4.81 times (odds ratio = 4.65, 95% confidence interval [1.80, 12.85]) more likely to report no dental insurance, and 2.73 times (odds ratio = 3.72; 95% confidence interval [1.12, 6.70]) more likely to report poor oral health. Communitybased participatory approaches include assessment of neighborhood residents affected by the health issue to frame interventions that resonate and are more effective. Social, physical, and infrastructural factors may emerge, requiring a multilevel approach.

Community-based oral health educational interventions designed for African American men may reduce oral health disparities among this population.