“Affluent, well to do communities have been able to continue their lives in a semi-normal or ‘new normal manner racial minorities have endured disproportionate effects.”
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Covid-19 has now impacted all communities throughout the United States since sweeping the country mid-March of this year.
Several states have entered a ‘lock-down’ with a stay at home orders requested by their governors. Affluent, well to do communities have been able to continue their lives in a semi-normal or ‘new normal manner while racial minorities have endured disproportionate effects.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), African Americans and Hispanics have a higher percentage of Covid-19 hospital admissions as well as Covid-19 deaths compared to Whites and Asians. According to a study by John Hopkins University, the Covid-19 infection rate in predominately black communities is three times higher than that of predominately white communities; while the death rate is six times higher in black communities when compared to predominately white.
Health experts attribute the disparity to underlying health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease. These conditions are all risk factors of Covid-19 and are more prevalent in Hispanics and African Americans.
Studies have also found that jobs held by minorities have more exposure as service industries with a lack of handwashing stations and hand sanitizer available, lack of physical distancing in factories, and less ability to work remotely from home. Community Health Centers can help this disparity through outreach and enrollment of minorities into their facilities, establishing Primary Care Providers and prioritizing health monitoring, testing, increasing access to care, and providing education to targeted communities.
Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center is rooted in the community, accepting new patients, and offers Primary Care, Dental, Behavioral Health, Vision, Women’s Health, and Podiatry services.
