D2.02 - Oral Session: Utilizing A Peer-Led Multi-level Intervention to Address Misinformation, Chronic Diseases, Mental Health, and Long-COVID

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how a peer-led multi-level intervention helped to address misinformation, chronic disease, mental health, and long-COVID in low-resource communities in Houston, Texas. In this pilot study, 72 participants were randomized to 1) receive usual support from community health workers (CHWs) through a comprehensive wraparound resource guide (WRG) and a health education repository (HER), or additionally, 2) a multi-level peer-led intervention that included referrals to community resources and health discussions. Intervention 2 participants showed significant improvements in mental health and long-COVID knowledge, and behaviors. While chronic disease and misinformation knowledge increased, they were nonsignificant. Notably, intervention 2 participants requested nearly three times more community resources than intervention 1 participants. Findings show peer-led strategies can effectively improve accurate knowledge, address social needs, and empower underserved communities.

Detailed abstract description: Chronic diseases and mental health conditions disproportionately affect low-resource populations in the United States, often compounded by limited access to resources, fragmented care, and widespread misinformation. In Houston/Harris County, low-resource communities face overlapping challenges, including chronic diseases, long-COVID symptoms, mental health concerns, and gaps in social support. Addressing these challenges will require interventions that improve knowledge and strengthen community capacity. This pilot study evaluated a peer-led multi-level intervention designed to address social needs, mental health, misinformation, chronic disease, and long-COVID among low-resource communities in Houston, Texas.

Seventy-two participants from six low-resource communities were randomized into two intervention groups. Intervention 1 participants received standard support from Community Health Workers (CHWs) through a comprehensive Wrap-around Resource Guide (WRG) and a Health Education Repository (HER). Participants in intervention 2 additionally engaged in a peer-led, multi-level community engagement that included referrals to community-based resources and peer-led health education discussions aimed at improving health literacy and supporting behavior change. Pre- and post-test data were analyzed using mixed effects models, non-parametric tests with multiple imputations in R 4.0, with significance set at p ≤ .05.

Participants in intervention 2 showed significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to engage in preventive behaviors related to mental health (31.6 to 38.1; t = 5.57, p < .0001) and long-COVID (25.6 to 37.2; t = 10.2, p < .0001). Chronic disease and misinformation knowledge increased, though not statistically significant. Intervention 2 participants also requested nearly three times more wrap-around resources (n = 65) compared to the standard support group (n = 22).

The results indicate that peer-led, multi-level interventions can effectively increase health literacy, enhance knowledge and behaviors around chronic disease, and support mental health in low-resource populations. Attendees will gain insights into implementing peer-led models that combine health education, resource access, and community engagement to combat misinformation and foster meaningful behavior change. This study provides a scalable framework that highlights practical strategies to build capacity in low-resource populations, bridge gaps in chronic disease and mental health management, and advance health literacy. These strategies will help reduce disparities and improve community health outcomes.