COVID-19 Webinar Series Overview
This COVID-19 Webinar Series synthesizes the information in the headlines to provide cohesive insight into the status of the response and remaining gaps in the system that must be addressed to limit the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.
Session 18 – Health Inequities: Addressing the Disease Burden in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities
In the United States, the novel coronavirus has disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Existing data shows that people in these communities are more likely to contract COVID-19 and are at higher risk of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. For example, while Black people make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 24 percent of COVID-19 deaths where race is known (COVID-19 Tracking Project). Disparities also exist among Latinx, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander populations. These disparities can be linked to a number of complex and interrelated issues, including limited access to medical services, socioeconomic disadvantages, and the effects of structural inequities and discrimination.
During this webinar, speakers examined the following learning goals:
- The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities in the U.S.;
- The drivers of these disparities; and
- Short- and long-term policy options to advance equity and improve COVID-19 outcomes
Panelists
- Adaeze Enekwechi, Ph.D., MPP, President, IMPAQ, LLC
- Rachel Hardeman, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
- Wizdom Powell, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Health Disparities Institute, UConn Health
- Laurie Zephyrin, M.D., MPH, MBA, Vice President, Delivery System Reform, The Commonwealth Fund (moderator)
The Alliance for Health Policy gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Institute of Health Care Management (NIHCM) and The Commonwealth Fund for this event.
