Long-standing racial and income disparities are being illuminated in this pandemic, with disparate impacts on people of color, immigrants, and those without access to healthcare. Nationally, Black Americans are dying of COVID-19 at a rate of more than twice their population share (black individuals represent 13% of the population in states releasing data, but 28% of deaths).
In Chicago, 68% of the city’s deaths have involved African Americans, who make up only about 30% of Chicago’s total population. In New York State, Latinos comprise 19% of the population, but have suffered 26% of the deaths.
Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN) members have been asked to help lead response efforts on this vital issue. For example, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has commissioned Northwell Health and the State University of New York at Albany to lead the state’s efforts, in coordination with the New York State Department of Health, to examine and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority populations. West Side United, which includes several HAN hospitals, was asked by the City of Chicago to co-lead a Racial Equity Rapid Response Team to focus resources and outreach in communities hardest hit by COVID-19 in order to build greater equity in health outcomes.