# Improving the Collaborative Health of Minority COVID-19 Survivor & Carepartner Dyads Through Interventions Targeting Social and Structural Health Inequities

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · 2024 · $201,461

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Persons of color (POC) from underserved communities are at increased risk of COVID-19 related morbidity
and mortality due to a variety of social and structural health determinants (SSDH; e.g., barriers to health care
access) and higher rates of underlying chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular
disease. Additionally, stressors associated with experiences of racism/discrimination (personal and systemic)
and the impact of the pandemic on their communities may further complicate the recovery and management of
underlying chronic diseases for minority COVID-19 survivors, undermining the mental and physical health not
only of the patient but carepartners who provide critical support. This study tests the efficacy of a telehealth-
enhanced, RN-Community Health Worker (CHW) delivered dyad intervention, ICINGS FAM (Integrating
Community-based Intervention Under Nurse Guidance with Families), on quality of life (QoL), and health-
related outcomes in vulnerable African American (AA) adults with preexisting chronic illness and their informal
carepartners (IC). Adapted from our previous WISSDOM CINGs model tested in AA stroke patients, key
features of this intervention include a)
strategies to address racial- and pandemic-related stressors perceived
by COVID-19 survivors and ICs; and b) incorporation of the survivor/IC dyad as a unit of analysis to better
understand how interpersonal and interdependent relationships impact health and health related outcomes for
both partners. We hypothesize that survivor/IC dyads receiving the intervention (i.e., coaching related to
COVID-19 risk mitigation, chronic disease management information, and assistance navigating the health care
system) will demonstrate improved QoL and health-related secondary outcomes compared to the attention
control arm receiving monthly general health promotion. The objective of iCINGS FAM is to strengthen the
efficacy and agency of the dyad to manage illness behaviors as an integrated unit, termed "dyad illness
management. In Aim 1, we will conduct interviews and focus groups with key community stakeholders to refine
iCINGS FAM components to the individual, interpersonal, community, social environment, and SSDH
assets/barriers of study dyads. In Aim 2, we will employ an RCT design to test intervention efficacy on QoL of
adult AA survivors and ICs (250 dyads) with pre-existing chronic health conditions. Intervention effects on
symptoms, dyadic confidence, and social support will also be investigated (Aim 2.1). In Aim 3, we will identify
individual - and family - level social and structural racial trauma exposures and family illness management
behaviors associated with reduced/improved QoL and health outcomes on a subset of dyads (n=50). Finally, to
further contextualize study findings, in Exploratory Aim 4 we will examine associations between outcomes
and community-level SSDH using PhenX structural determinant variables. This intervention has...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11111046
- **Project number:** 3R01NR020127-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Gayenell Smith Magwood
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $201,461
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-09-15 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11111046

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11111046, Improving the Collaborative Health of Minority COVID-19 Survivor & Carepartner Dyads Through Interventions Targeting Social and Structural Health Inequities (3R01NR020127-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11111046. Licensed CC0.

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