Date: September 8 2022
Summary: How the COVID pandemic lead to highlighting vulnerable populations introduced by systemic inequity for healthcare
Keywords: ##bibliography #inequity #minorities #covid19 #pandemic #vulnerable #archive
D. M. Gray, A. Anyane-Yeboa, S. Balzora, R. B. Issaka, and F. P. May, "COVID-19 and the other pandemic: populations made vulnerable by systemic inequity," Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, vol. 17, no. 9, pp. 520–522, Sep. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41575-020-0330-8.
I examined this paper to learn more about vulnerabilities posed to minority and vulnerable populations. I focused less on pandemic-related risks and more on examples of problems posed to minority populations.
Intersectional vulnerable populations (e.g. those living with disability, poverty conditions, or racial minority, etc.) face even more perils to their already vulnerable state.
African Americans have the highest mortality from colorectal cancer. (3, 4)
- Diagnosed at younger ages
- Intersectionally, African Americans who are poor, uninsured, and/or geographically isolated are less likely to get screening tests
- Less likely to receive treatment for advanced diseaseHispanics or Latinos are disproportionately affected by SDOH factors. (5)
- Have highest incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseNative American reservations lack low number of ICU hospital beds. (8)
- Indian Health Services only had limited ability to help COVID-19 patients.Minorities are over-represented as and in: (9)
- Essential workers
- Poor and overcrowded housing
- Could be impossible to adhere to COVID-19 safety policiesZelko, Jacob. COVID-19 and the other pandemic: populations made vulnerable by systemic inequity. https://jacobzelko.com/09082022132448-covid-systemic-inequity. September 8 2022.