Racial Disparity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in African American Communities. (30th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kullar, Ravina; Marcelin, Jasmine R; Swartz, Talia H; Piggott, Damani A; Macias Gil, Raul; Mathew, Trini A; Tan, Tina
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 222:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 890
• Page End: 893
• Publication Date: 2020-06-30
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- coronavirus -- racial disparity -- SARS-CoV2 -- African Americans; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa372
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unveiled unsettling disparities in the outcome of the disease among African Americans. These disparities are not new but are rooted in structural inequities that must be addressed to adequately care for communities of color. We describe the historical context of these structural inequities, their impact on the progression of COVID-19 in the African American (black) community, and suggest a multifaceted approach to addressing these healthcare disparities. (Of note, terminology from survey data cited for this article varied from blacks, African Americans, or both; for consistency, we use African Americans throughout.) Abstract : The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has revealed long-lasting disparities in healthcare among African Americans. A multifaceted approach must be used to address these disparities, which will continue without a vision of health equity and a commitment to tackle structural racism.