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From December 2020 to July 2021, $700,000 was distributed in direct cash transfers to residents of Immokalee, FL who tested positive for COVID-19. The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of this cash transfer program. We conducted 157 structured interviews with program beneficiaries via phone call or home visit and asked about sociodemographic variables, how the money was used, whether the money was sufficient for two weeks’ financial needs, and participant ability to self-isolate. A logit regression model was then used to explore the relationships between sociodemographic variables and whether the respondent thought the money was enough for two weeks of financial needs. A majority of respondents (83.7%) reported spending the check exclusively on living expenses, and 99.3% reported that the money helped them stay home and quarantine while having COVID-19. Offering direct cash transfers of $800-$1200 to residents of Immokalee, FL who tested positive for COVID-19 was effective in reducing COVID-associated financial burden, and this money was most likely to be spent on living necessities rather than temptation goods. People with housing insecurity and without a high school degree were significantly less likely to report that the money was enough for two weeks’ financial needs, indicating that these characteristics mark those in the population who may have needed more support. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing health disparities, it is important to understand the role of cash transfers as a public health tool and their potential impact on community mitigation efforts.

To address the public health needs of the 21 st century, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine implemented a four-year MD/ MPH program in 2011 with a mission to graduate public health physician leaders. The first cohort of students graduated in 2015. In the summer of 2020, a survey was sent to graduates to gather information on their early career involvement in the areas of leadership, research, and public health. In addition to several multiple-choice questions, the survey included an open-ended question on the impact of public health training in their careers. Content analysis was used to analyze the responses to the open-ended question. Eighty-two graduates completed the survey; 80 of whom had participated in residency training. Forty-nine (61%) joined a residency in a primary care field. Many graduates had leadership roles in their early careers, including 35 (44%) who were selected as chief residents. Fifty-seven (71%) participated in research, most commonly in quality improvement (40, 50%), clinical (34, 43%) and community based (19, 24%). Over one third (30, 38%) chose to do work in public health during residency. Themes that emerged regarding the impact of public health training on their careers were: 1) Shift in perspective, 2) Value of specific skills related to public health, 3) Steppingstone for professional opportunities 4) Focus on health disparities, social determinants, and inadequacies of the healthcare system, 5) Status as leaders and mentors for peers, and 6) Self-efficacy during the pandemic. Graduates self-reported significant commitment and involvement in leadership, research, and public health as well as towards addressing some of our most pressing public health needs. Although long-term career outcomes need to be determined over time, currently graduates report significant benefits of their public health training for their professional outcomes.