NEWS
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 7
and people of Pwhite A G populations, E 7 Asian descent are 1.9 times more likely than white populations. Racial differences in infection rates have exposed systemic racism. Systemic racism plays a role in factors that predispose populations to have less opportunity and access to housing, health care, employment, healthy food options and other needed resources that influence health. Systematic racism also plays a role in the kind of the healthcare that people of color receive once they are sick with COVID-19. There are multiple reports that indicate that people of color are less likely to receive a COVID test when they seek medical care and, once identified as being infected, are less likely to receive adequate treatment. In Allegheny County for example, although 13% of the population is Black, they make up more than 30% of all hospitalizations and admittance to the ICU and approximately 19% of deaths. These are serious equity issues that must be addressed. The toll COVID-19 has taken on the mental and physical health of the community cannot be understated. Mental health care is critical, including expansion of services and supports in multiple forms, such as telehealth and community-based approaches. Resolve Crisis Services is a local resource available to all, but expansion of mental health care in the continuum of care is needed. Physical activity and movement is important too and is linked to mental health. Whether being physically active in one’s home, community or outside elsewhere, physical distancing and wearing a mask within six feet of someone
who doesn’t live with you or in any enclosed space is still critical. Finally, policy and action that is equitable, based in science and focused on ensuring the full protection and health of populations is important in the immediate and long-term. A worker’s ability to reduce becoming infected, for example, is influenced by state and workplace policies, including requirements for store patrons to wear masks when entering businesses. Policies are also needed to protect Black and Brown individuals from harm while wearing a mask and that allow workers
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to still receive pay and have job security if they stay home when they are sick. These are critically important to stopping the spread of respiratory illnesses. So instead of “green” - “yellow” and possibly “red” should be the color of the times.
About the authors: Chantele E. Mitchell-Miland, PhDc, MPH, is a Doctoral Candidate in Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and a Research Health Scientist at the
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) in the departments of the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) and Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC). Dara D. Mendez, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Health Equity Editor for Block Chronicles. Twitter handle: @DrDaraDMendez
