Health Disparities

Source: HealthITAnalytics
Title: County-Level Data Shows Racial, Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Cases
Date: April 27, 2020
Link: https://healthitanalytics.com/news/county-level-data-shows-racial-ethnic-disparities-in-covid-19-cases
Brief Description: Data that has been collected at the county-level shows that COVID-19 is more prevalent among black and Hispanic populations, revealing significant racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. By April 21, high-concentration black communities saw 422,184 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 27,354 deaths, in contrast to 378,667 cases and 16,203 deaths in low-concentration black counties.
Future Implications: The data that's being released by public health organizations needs to be more consistent and transparent on the impact of coronavirus among communities of color. Only then will federal and local governments be able to ensure resources for testing, treatment recovery are targeted to communities of people most affected by the pandemic.
Overall Impact: This trend confirms the baseline scenario where black and Hispanic's health are being affected at a disproportionate rate. Although the CDC has begun releasing national data on race and ethnicity, about two-thirds of the cases reported failed to specify the race of the individual. Without the data being reported in a more transparent matter, it will be harder to ensure the right communities are given proper resources in an effort to reduce these disproportionate disparities.
Timeliness (0-5): 4
Scope (0-5): 4
Impact (0-5): 4
Likelihood (0-5): 5
Urgency (0-5): 5