A
recent Kaiser Family Foundation Issue Brief reviewing data and analysis of
COVID-19 infections, highlights the disparate impact of infection for people of
color.
The
Issue Brief, Racial Disparities in
COVID-19: Key Findings from Available Data and Analysis,
includes the following key findings:
- From March through July 18, 2020, age-adjusted
hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 for Black, Hispanic, and American
Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people were roughly five times higher than
that of White people.
- People of color make up a disproportionate share of COVID-19
hospitalizations relative to their share of the population or total
hospital visits.
- Nursing homes where a higher share of
residents are people of color are more likely to report a COVID-19 case.
- Testing sites in and near predominantly Black and Hispanic
neighborhoods are likely to face greater demand than those near
predominantly White areas, which could contribute to longer wait times,
and the share of people of color in an area is associated with an increase in travel time to a testing
site.
The
report concludes, “Overall, the findings highlight the importance of
considering how COVID-19 relief and response efforts will address inequities,
including in decisions related to distribution of treatments and vaccines once
they become available. Prioritizing equity will be key for addressing the
current gaps in COVID-19 and health care more broadly and preventing widening
of disparities in the future.”
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