Specific Reasons for Overrepresentation of COVID-19 in African Americans

Introduction

We’ve previously quantified the overrepresentation of COVID-19 in African Americans. This Straight, No Chaser offers a few specific reasons for those disparities. We hope policy makers and public health professionals continue to identify and address these root causes of medical and social determinants of health. These are among the main reasons for the vicious health care disparities now being revealed.

Individual Reasons for the Overrepresentation of COVID-19 in African Americans

Clustering in America’s most populous cities
Disproportionately poor
Disproportionately represented in front line “essential” jobs (janitors, cashiers, bus drivers, etc.)
Greater presence of preexisting conditions
Inadequate housing and higher representation in homeless population
Increased neighborhood risks (exposure to pollutants and toxins, less green spaces, less healthy food options, less safety), many of which lead to lowered immunity
Less access to care (health facilities are less available in African American communities)
Less access to testing (testing facilities are less available in African American communities)
Need to utilize public transportation (representing 25% of users)
Overrepresentation in the incarcerated population
Unequal levels of care received due to an “empathy gap” by physicians caring for African Americans
Perceived criminalization (yes, the perception of Blacks wearing masks actually is inhibitive to the use of personal protective equipment in the community)

These conditions don’t excuse the presence of disease or absolve individuals from exerting their best efforts toward health self-empowerment. However, it helps to appreciate factors that stack the deck for or against specific groups of individuals. Furthermore, doing so allows health professionals to create and adjust plans accordingly. Stay safe.

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