In the United States, non-white individuals have been at an alarmingly higher risk of contracting, being hospitalized, and dying from to the COVID-19 virus.
As of July 28, 2022, the CDC reports that Black or African American individuals in the United States are 1.1 times more likely than Whites to contract the COVID-19 virus, a staggering 2.2 times more likely than Whites to be hospitalized due to infection, and 1.7 times more likely to die from infection-related ailments. Hispanic or Latino and American Indian or Alaskan Natives experience a parallel trend, with Latinx individuals being 1.5 times more likely to contract the virus, 2.1 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 1.8 times more likely to die from the virus than Whites, and American Indian or Alaskan Natives being 1.5 times more likely to contract, 2.8 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 2.1 times more likely to die from the virus than Whites.
While these numbers represent an alarming trend of ethnic disparities among the infected, it is also crucial to note that these statistics are simply a summary of COVID-19 infections across the entire United States, and taking a deeper look at individual states and counties reveal even more staggering racial disparities. In states like Mississippi, for example, where Blacks represent only 38% of the population, they also account for 54% of total infections. In California, where Latinx people represent 40% of the total population, they also account for 54% of reported COVID-19 cases.
What is causing this trend?
Health Insurance
As of 2019, according to the CDC, only 6% of non-Hispanic white people were uninsured, while about 19% of Latinx and 10% of non-Hispanic Black people were uninsured. Lack of health insurance in non-Whites decreases access to medications, vaccinations, and doctor visits for those infected, and increases risk of serious injury caused by contracting the virus.
Use of at-home tests
At-home tests have been utilized as a tool to detect COVID-19 cases earlier and limit potential spread by infected individuals. During the period between August, 2021 and March, 2022, the CDC reported the use of at home COVID-19 tests was nearly twice as likely in Whites than Blacks. At home tests were reportedly utilized most often by individuals who are White, have an annual household income of more than $150,000, have a postgraduate degree, and live in the New England area. Prior to the government order launched to supply Americans with free at-home testing, the cost of these tests and barriers to acquire them severely limited access to non-Whites and those of lower socioeconomic status.
Vaccines
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to limit the severity of symptoms in the infected. The CDC reports that from December, 2020 to May, 2021, non-Hispanic Blacks and Latinx people were significantly less likely to have obtained 1 or more doses of any COVID-19 vaccine than Whites. 40.7% of Black people and 41.1% of Latinx persons reported having received 1 or more vaccinations compared to 54.6% of Whites, despite the vaccine being free to all Americans regardless of insurance status.
Underlying medical conditions
Individuals with conditions like Chronic Kidney Disease, lung diseases, and diabetes are all at a greater risk of hospitalization or death from the COVID-19 virus. In the United States, Blacks are 3 times more likely, and Latinx are 1.3 times more likely than Whites to suffer from CKD. Blacks are also 42% more likely than Whites to suffer from asthma, and nearly twice as likely to suffer from diabetes than Whites, disproportionately increasing their risk of serious injury caused by COVID-19.
