Racial Disparity for Covid-19

First tonight: an effort aimed at increasing our knowledge of covid?

"*19 and providing resources for the african american community is underway in rochester..

The effort includes engaging black churches and medical centers across minnesota to address disparities.

Kimt new three's jessica bringe joins us live from mayo clinic to explain this unique effort.

Jessica.

George ?

"* public health officals..inclu ding here at mayo clinic..

Say african american communities face higher covid?

"*19 infections ad mortality rates than the general population.

Doctor la?*- princess brewer says the fostering african?

"* american improvement in total health program..

Known as "faith!"

Is working to counteract that.

She says churches are strongholds for sharing trusted health information and that's taking on an even more significant role during the pandemic.

Brewer says by sharing inspirational messaging to promote spiritual and physical health..

Covid?

"* 19 health information and preventive measures..

Financial and community resources as well as social support... the hope is to promote emergency preparedness in church communities.

The african american church has been a safe haven for the undeserved and those that are impoverished, those that are disadvantaged, so we wanted to leverage the spiritual messaging to encourage our congregations .

In a survey 75?

"* percent of respondents said they wouldn't take the covid?

"*19 vaccine due to concerns about safety and side effects ?

"* so brewer says more education needs to be done to alleviate fears.

Live in rochester jessica bringe kimt news three.

Thank you jessica.

The faith program is the first academic?*- community partnership between mayo clinic and local african american churches.