Wake Forest University

- Discrimination
- Healthcare access and use
- Occupation
- Educational, income, and wealth gaps
- Housing

These and other factors are typically associated with more COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in areas where racial and ethnic minority groups live. They have also led to higher rates of certain medical conditions that increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, or a more severe case of the virus.

Health Equity Considerations stemming from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Those from certain racial and ethnic minority groups are faced with several barriers to accessing proper health care. This includes lack of insurance, transportation, child care, or the ability to take leave from work for medical reasons. Language and cultural barriers also play a role between patients and providers, affecting patient-provider interactions and health care equality at large. Many from racial and ethnic minority groups put little trust in healthcare systems and government infrastructure which supports these systems.

Healthcare access and use

Those who belong to racial and ethnic minority groups statistically work in essential settings including healthcare facilities, farms, factories, grocery stores and public transportation. In effect, these workplaces lead to a high chance of exposure to COVID-19.

Occupation

Generally, those from racial and ethnic minority groups tend to have less access to a high-quality education. Consequently, without a high-quality education, people face greater barriers to getting jobs that offer options for minimizing exposure to COVID-19. People with limited job options have minimal flexibility to leave said jobs that put them at a higher risk of exposure to the virus. Often they are unable to afford to miss work, including sick days, as they must retain enough money to pay for essential items.

Educational, income, and wealth gaps

A higher percentage of people from racial or ethnic minority groups live in more crowded housing spaces compared to non-Hispanic White people. Living in more crowded conditions may increase one's exposure to COVID-19 as it is difficult to separate oneself from others in the same space.

Housing

What other social, economic and/or political factors played a role in the health equity concerns of  COVID-19?

Discrimination is present in systems that are designed to protect well-being and medical health. These systems include health care, housing, education, criminal justice and finance. Discrimination can lead to chronic stress and places those predisposed to social or economic disadvantages--namely racial or ethnic minority groups-- at a higher risk for COVID-19.

The Effect of Discrimination on Disadvantaged Populations During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Navajo Nation stretches across northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. Due to historical systemic inequalities and hostile relations with the U.S. federal government, Navajo communities faced a disproportionately severe impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited health services, broken infrastructure, and high rates of immunocompromising diseases increased the vulnerability of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations to the outbreak.

Case Study: Navajo/Diné Nation

“Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html. 

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