The First Wave of Covid-19 and Its Influence on Social Networks of Hispanics

Abstract

Personal and community networks are dimensions where information, resources, and norms about health are clustered and spread through groups of people. In the case of Hispanic health in the U.S., networks are thought to be both protective (through the provision of support and resources), but also a conduit of unhealthy behaviors and practices (such as reinforcing norms for episodic clinical care). It is not fully understood how these dimensions were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the VidaSana Study 2015-2022, Dr. Maupome and his team of researchers collected data from 558 Hispanics from Central America and Mexico. Their goal was to examine the evolution of social networks, health beliefs and health-related behaviors among these population groups. During this presentation, Dr. Maupome talks about the findings of the VidaSana study (and other ancillary studies) and how data will be used to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Hispanic populations.