Raleigh, N.C. – May 27, 2020 – Impact Global Health Alliance Global, a Raleigh-based nonprofit, has joined the Pandemic Response Network (PRN) as a partner to serve the needs of individuals and communities during the pandemic, especially those that are hit hardest by COVID-19.
Impact Global Health Alliance is a global health organization serving forgotten communities at home in North Carolina, across the United States, and in countries around the world. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Impact Global Health Alliance Global has implemented life-saving measures at all of its project sites and here at home. As part of its domestic partnership with the Guatemalan Consulate of North Carolina, Impact Global Health Alliance trained a team from Duke University’s School of Nursing (DUSON) and more than 275 Spanish-speaking volunteers to ensure that over 15,000 Spanish-speaking families in over 15 states received accurate, vital COVID-19 information in their primary language.
In partnership with PRN, Impact Global Health Alliance will promote participation in PRN programs, contribute thought leadership to PRN, and support the delivery of PRN services to individuals and organizations. Community Health Watch, the primary PRN program, is designed to support people trying to manage symptoms at home with daily texts and emails and provides telephone follow-up to people with severe symptoms. The program is available to people across the United States in English and Spanish.
PRN partners serve essential service workers and individuals who work in long term care; advocate for Hispanic communities; provide medical care to vulnerable communities, and provide software products focused on employee information security and social service referrals. The creation of the PRN represents a major shift in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Becky Smith, MD, associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Duke University Health System.
“Rather than just collect data on who has the virus and where we are focused on helping people stay safe and connected,” said Smith. “We have medical teams and networks of community-based organizations aligned to ensure that people get the right services at the right time, especially people who are from traditionally underserved groups who also happen to be hit hardest by COVID-19. We’re already reaching over 1,500 people across the U.S. and look forward to continue growing our response through these vital partnerships.”
Impact Global Health Alliance Global joined the PRN to strengthen its ability to help vulnerable communities stay safe and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are so excited to be partnering with the Pandemic Response Network to carry out a mission so close to our own,” said Andrew
Herrera, Impact Global Health Alliance Global Executive Director. “Reaching underserved populations is more important than ever, and we’re looking forward to being part of the sharing of this life-saving information during such a vital time.”
PRN partners are working together to provide support to individuals across the country and are actively improving their programs to address social needs as well. People can learn more about PRN and the Community Health Watch by visiting pandemicresponsenetwork.org.
