Health Policy Research Scholars: Dan Do (PhD’24) Researches Dual Pandemic of COVID & Racism
As part of a grant from Health Policy Research Scholars (HPRS), BUSSW PhD Candidate Dan Do (PhD’24) is investigating the challenges facing women of color during a dual pandemic of COVID-19 and racism. The research team, including BU School of Public Health Prof. Paul Shafer and Hayden Dawes, LCSW, hopes to promote more equitable mental healthcare access for women of color.
Excerpt from “Scholars Are Innovating How to Include Mental Health Work into the Anti-Racism Movement,” originally published by Health Policy Research Scholars:
Another team leading change in their community with the assistance of HPRS funding is Daniel Do (Cohort 2020), Hayden Dawes (Cohort 2020), and Dr. Paul Shafer (Cohort 2016), who are collaborating to highlight the challenges and barriers facing women of color in accessing and engaging in mental health services while also combatting COVID-19.
“The dual pandemic of COVID-19 and racism has impacted the mental health of our nation,” said Do. “We hope this project will highlight both the challenges, barriers, and facilitators of engaging in mental health treatment for women of color.”
Drawing on data from the COVID-19 Research Database of mental health utilization trends across demographic and socioeconomic variables, the team began with in-depth qualitative interviews focused on how the confluence of COVID-19 and racism impacts people’s experiences with mental health services. A preliminary finding has shown that COVID-19 restrictions, mainly physical distancing and working from home, have relieved women of color from having to engage white colleagues who want to discuss their newfound recognition of racism in America. The findings and nuanced stories are providing much-needed insight into how this dual pandemic of COVID-19 and racism has impacted the mental health of the nation.”