We would be remiss if we did not mention the severe number of people testing positive for COVID-19, especially in the Black American community, where there are currently and historically health disparities and lack of access to basic health care systems. Considering the minimal amount of COVID-19 testing kits in the United States, it is evident in showing that people who are not affluent and do not have the same access as the well-off cannot take any tests to see if they are affected by the virus. This is especially true with Black Americans, who also have a higher chance in being in the presence of the virus due to being in the ‘essential’ factors of work.
Dr. Patricia Bath has brought attention to her medical field colleagues, in various times of her life, about the lack of health care system access in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. In particular, her more infamous life story about bringing more opthalogical doctors and associates to Harlem once she found that there was a higher chance of eye problems and blindness in more black populated neighborhoods.
The very informative and valuable article with Dr. Uché Blackstock from Slate about the racial health disparities in the United States further explains the problems.
We hope you all stay safe either at home from social distancing or while you’re in the workplace.
Her academic and clinical experience have led her to conclude that not only will testing patterns fall along racial and socioeconomic lines, but Black people are going to be disparately affected by COVID-19. Black Americans experience profound racialized health disparities, including higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and diabetes—chronic illnesses that heighten the chance of adverse outcomes should one contract the coronavirus. She also discussed environmental and structural factors that contribute to the gap in health between Black and white people.
Read the full article on Slate.
