The Health Disparities Challenge That Lies Ahead

The current raging COVID pandemic has brought to the fore some key health disparities. The statistics show that COVID death rates are higher among minorities. Compared to Whites, the likelihood of COVID-related deaths for Black Americans is 37% higher, for Asians 53% higher, for Native Americans and Alaskan Natives 26% higher, and for Hispanics 16% higher (see Racial, Ethnic Minorities Reel From Higher Covid-19 Death Rates). There are many factors that likely contribute. People of color are more likely to be uninsured—Hispanics, for example, are two and a half times more likely to be uninsured than Whites . . .