The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted elderly vulnerable populations, including racial/ethnic minorities and rural residents. The high risk of acquiring COVID-19 and the dire outcomes in these populations were partially explained by the high prevalence of comorbidities and other social determinants of health. Home healthcare agencies (HHAs) and nursing homes (NHs) provided essential post-acute services for many elderly patients. The pandemic disrupted care transitions from hospitals to HHAs and NHs, leading to significant health outcome consequences, including the widening of existing health disparities.

The researchers’ prior national surveys of infection prevention and control (IPC) in both NHs and HHAs served as ideal and novel baseline data. Leveraging this prior work, the study addressed the impact of COVID-19 on transitions and health outcomes of elderly, vulnerable patients (i.e., racial and ethnic minorities versus non-Latinx whites and urban versus rural populations). It also identified health disparities and effective practices to mitigate these disparities. The findings informed NHs, HHAs, and policymakers in future planning for infectious disease emergencies and contributed to efforts to decrease health disparities.