Understanding and Addressing Latinx COVID-19 Disparities in Washington State. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baquero, Barbara; Gonzalez, Carmen; Ramirez, Magaly; Chavez Santos, Erica; Ornelas, India J.
• Is Part Of: Health education & behavior. Volume 47:Number 6(2020:Dec.)
• Page Start: 845
• Page End: 849
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: access to health care -- COVID-19 -- language access -- Latinx disparities -- public health response -- working conditions; Health education -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1090198120963099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-1981

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, and intensified, health inequities faced by Latinx in the United States. Washington was one of the first U.S. states to report cases of COVID-19. Public health surveillance shows that 31% of Washington cases are Latinx, despite being only 13% of the state population. Unjust policies related to immigration, labor, housing, transportation, and education have contributed to both past and existing inequities. Approximately 20% of Latinx are uninsured, leading to delays in testing and medical care for COVID-19, and early reports indicated critical shortages in professional interpreters and multilingual telehealth options. Washington State is taking action to address some of these inequities. Applying a health equity framework, we describe key factors contributing to COVID-19–related health inequities among Latinx populations, and how Washington State has aimed to address these inequities. We draw on these experiences to make recommendations for other Latinx communities experiencing COVID-19 disparities.