Health Disparities: COVID-19 and Black Americans Precious Modupe Course: Cultural Foundations of Nursing Professor: Dr. Lizy Mathew, Nursing Student: Precious Modupe Essay: Health Disparities: COVID-19 and Black Americans
Assignment: In this course, students were asked to write a scholarly paper addressing a health disparity in a vulnerable population. Using peer-reviewed journals, students supported their rationale for selecting their specific health disparity and the implications that the disparity has for the vulnerable population. Discussion of
social determinants of health, issues of inequality and discrimination were to be addressed in detail. Factors that contribute to the health disparity as well as potential solutions and how those solutions would be realistically implemented and evaluated were also to be addressed.
Background Throughout this paper, the health disparities faced by African Americans in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed thoroughly. African Americans are disproportionately contracting the vicious virus and dying from it at an alarming rate in comparison to all other races. The origin of this health disparity is rooted in the historical, institutional, and structural racism that continues to place this group at the bottom, in terms of overall health and wealth. These factors are illustrated through analysis of the social determinants of health that lead to such unsatisfactory health outcomes from COVID-19. In the hopes of addressing and remedying the health disparities, multiple solutions are offered that encourage the involvement
of culturally competent, unbiased nursing staff, as well as input from the government and local health organizations. Ultimately, the solution best to address the problem involves community-based efforts that are shown to improve COVID-19 related health issues for Black Americans. Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted individuals both nationally within this country, but also on a global scale. Unfortunately, the virus has not only highlighted the health disparities of racial minorities but has exacerbated them tenfold. Focusing specifically on Black Americans, this population is subject to higher risk and disproportional mortality rates from COVID-19. These disparities must be addressed on 13
