As this paper has reported for months, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights existing inequities in healthcare that are the result of structural racism, poverty and the disproportionate prevalence of underlying conditions such as asthma and heart disease among African-Americans.
Additionally, there are digital barriers for underserved populations.
“This is exactly what Dr. King meant by the inhumanity of inequities in health care,” said Dr. David M. Carlisle, president and CEO of the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, who was part of a recent Ethnic Media Services briefing. “The pandemic is pulling back the sheet on a situation that has been festering for decades.”
The state agrees, and is gathering data in an effort to understand these inequities and help ensure the best health outcomes for all Californians. Cumulative data, gathered since the first COVID-19 case was reported in January 2020, show that the case rate for communities with median income— less than $40,000 a year— is 38 percent higher than statewide cases per 100 thousand people. As of last week, there were 11,350 cases for this population, compared to 8,219 cases for all income brackets.
The state is working to address the inequity. According to its website covid19.ca.gov, data completeness is critical to addressing inequity.
“We know a lot about the impact of COVID-19 on certain communities, but we can better invest our resources by increasing the collection of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity data,” the site reads. “This data collection requires close cooperation with private sector partners, laboratories, and state and county officials.”
The state insists data reporting is improving, but what about the inequities in vaccine distribution? During first vaccinations, giving information of race and ethnicity, age, and gender is voluntary and not required to receive a shot. Plus, vaccination was limited to healthcare workers and long-term care residents. Hence the data
reflects those populations more than other California residents. Last week’s vaccination numbers were as follows:
0.1 percent American Indian or Alaska Native
14.8 percent Asian American
4.1 percent Black
22.9 percent Latino
18.5 percent Multi-race
0.4 percent Native Hawaiian or
Other Pacific Islander
22.1 percent White
13 percent Other
4.1 percent Unknown
“What we have going on right now is the inequitable distribution of covid vaccines,” said Carlisle. He pointed to the fact that vaccines were being unequally distributed to certain smaller cities—Irvine, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, in addition to the larger city of Los Angeles, which is much more diverse with 8 million people.
The group of experts agreed that the inequity in pandemic cases and in vaccine distribution are outcomes of historical trauma that ethnic groups have suffered over the years. The distrust of the medical system is another reason for the low numbers of vaccinations.
“We need to have open conversations, town halls that are non judgmental and culturally sensitive, to address the mistrust.” said Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras, of the Latino Coalition Against COVID-19.
Turner-Lloveras said that community based organizations are receiving funding to give a “warm hand off” and share information on the pandemic with the public.
The group said education should include the facts:
• The current vaccines do not include the virus in any form.
• You cannot get the disease by getting the vaccine.
• Normal side effects show that the body is learning to build immunity
“I’ve seen people cry tears of joy” said EMS briefing participant Dr. Ray Perry, referring to patients who were receiving the vaccine. “This vaccine is not an experiment, we know that it’s safe.
“The reality is that this vaccine went through the same steps as any other vaccine,” Perry added, explaining that the emergency led to more money coming from the government for faster vaccine development.
“And because Covid is so prevalent, it was easier to get volunteers to participate in studies. With Covid, we were able to get the number of people needed and to get it approved faster.”
Perry received his first dose in December and second dose in January. “I feel great,” he said. “Now I feel it’s important that me and other healthcare workers encourage others to get vaccinated. I feel it’s our job to educate.”
