Realizing resilience part 2: One year later, updates on health center and social sector response to social determinants of health needs during COVID-19

In June 2020, six months after the novel coronavirus (COVI0-19) reached the United States and required an almost overnight shift to complete quarantine, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) jointly conducted a national survey capturing key takeaways when detecting, prioritizing, and informing community needs magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the survey identified methods to strengthen cross-sector alignment strategies between health center, public health, and social service partners. 

Today, one year later, our country has settled into a "new normal" in which businesses, schools, community-based organizations, and health delivery systems have all pivoted to provide programming and resources in both virtual and in-person capacities. Furthermore, we have more data on COVID-19 screening, treatments, morbidity, and mortality - all of which have identified significant disparities in our most vulnerable communities. In December 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that "some racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by COVID-19" and that "long-standing inequities in social determinants of health that affect these groups, such as poverty and healthcare access, are interrelated and influence a wide range of health and quality-of-life risks and outcomes."