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COVID-19 and Race: What does data tell us?

June 24, 2020

Diverse Group Cheering

In April, New Orleans health officials realized their drive-through testing strategy for the coronavirus wasn't working. The reason? Census tract data revealed hot spots for the virus were located in predominantly low-income African-American neighborhoods where many residents lacked cars. In response, officials have changed their strategy, sending mobile testing vans to some of those areas, says Thomas LaVeist, dean of Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and co-chair of Louisiana's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.


The above example taken from an article [1] that appeared recently on the npr.org website demonstrates how we are still only scratching the surface of the impact of race, neighborhoods, occupational related risks and testing strategies for the COVID-19 virus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






The above charts capture at the highest level the impact of the deadly pandemic on communities of color. Considering the disease impacts all people the same, it is not a stretch to say that resources and quality of affordable health care is dependent on where you live which in turn has a correlation with one's race. The recent crowds on the streets of cities small and large across the country have a higher goal of social justice of all, but the point to note in this context is that achieving those would certainly change the impact of the next pandemic on minorities for the better. We support a positive change across all communities to make our nation more just and peaceful for all where everyone has an equal stake and equal opportunity to not just health care but to all necessary care, amenities and opportunities.



References:
[1] What do racial disparities look like State by State?

MBA versus PhD - Infographic -  Mozilla
MBA versus PhD - Infographic -  Mozilla
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