New statistics from around the country are revealing the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on minority communities. In Michigan, black individuals represent just 14% of the population, but make up 33% of positive COVID-19 cases and 41% of deaths. In Louisiana, 32% of residents are black, but account for 70% of COVID-related deaths.
In an opinion piece for JAMA, William F. Owen Jr, Richard Carmona, and Lasker President Claire Pomeroy propose that these tragic statistics are linked to adverse social determinants of health. They suggest interventions to help mitigate these disparities and improve future pandemic responses.
