Infographics
Systemic Racism Is a Public Health Crisis
Published on: August 17, 2020. Updated on: October 20, 2020.
About the Data Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on the link between systemic racism and health in many communities. This infographic clarifies the relationship between long-standing social and economic inequities and health disparities affecting Black Americans, over the life course and in relation to COVID-19. Black Americans are dying at 2.5 times the rate of White Americans from the virus. Here we review intentional and actionable strategies that can be enacted at the state, local and health care system levels to bring about lasting change.
Systemic Racism Definition: Racial Equity Tools, Racism
COVID-19 Impact Data:
Population Share: The United States Census Bureau
National Death Data: The COVID Tracking Project, The COVID Racial Data Tracker
- NOTE: Current as of August 17, 2020
Risk Factors for Black Communities:
Over-Representation in Frontline and Essential Worker Roles: Associated Press
Unequal Health Insurance Access: Changes in Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity since the ACA, 2010-2018, Kaiser Family Foundation
Hypersegregated Housing: COVID-19 in context: Racism, Segregation, and Racial Inequities in Philadelphia, Drexel University, Urban Health Collaborative
Food Insecurity: Feeding America, Hunger hits African American communities harder
Housing Insecurity: National Alliance to End Homelessness
Wealth: Brookings, Examining the Black-white wealth gap
Education: Adapted from USA Today article, “12 charts show how racial disparities persist across wealth, health, education and beyond”; original data from National Center for Education Statistics
Mass Incarceration: The Color of Justice: Racial and Ethnic Disparity in State Prisons, The Sentencing Project
Stress and Allostatic Load Representation:
- How the stress of racism can harm your health—and what that has to do with Covid-19, NOVA
- McEwen BS, Stellar E. Stress and the Individual: Mechanisms Leading to Disease. Arch Intern Med. 1993;153(18):2093–2101. doi:10.1001/archinte.1993.00410180039004
Health Disparities:
Health disparities (Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity): Adapted from CDC analysis and infographic on risk factors
Maternal Mortality: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reproductive Health, Pregnancy-related Mortality
Actionable Ways to Address Disparities:
- Address Provider Bias: “It’s Time To Address The Role Of Implicit Bias Within Health Care Delivery, " Health Affairs Blog, January 15, 2020. DOI: 10.1377/hblog20200108.34515
- Identify and Correct Racially-Biased Health Care Algorithms: Obermeyer Z, Powers B, Vogeli C and Mullainathan S. “Dissecting Racial Bias in an Algorithm Used to Manage the Health of Populations.” Science, 36(6464):447-53, October 25, 2019
- Provide Culturally-Competent Care: How to Address COVID-19 in Communities of Color, ASTHO Experts Blog
- Diversify Workforce: How Health Equity Gaps Affect COVID-19 Impact, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- Conduct Community Outreach: HHS Initiatives to Address the Disparate Impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and Other Racial and Ethnic Minorities
- Improve Locations of COVID-19 Testing Sites: “In Large Texas Cities, Access To Coronavirus Testing May Depend On Where You Live,” NPR Shots
- Increase Internet Access and Telehealth Opportunities: HHS Initiatives to Address the Disparate Impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and Other Racial and Ethnic Minorities
- Increase Access to and Awareness of Self-Protective Equipment: How Systemic Racism Impacts Coronavirus Racial Disparities, Anti-Defamation League
- Incorporate Equity in Value-Based Care Arrangements: How Health Equity Gaps Affect COVID-19 Impact, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Strategies for Lasting Change:
- Dismantle Structures that Support Racism and Wealth: Structural Racism, Racial Equity Tools
- Expand Health Care Coverage and Access: “Addressing Racial Health Disparities In The COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate And Long-Term Policy Solutions, " Health Affairs Blog, July 20, 2020. DOI: 10.1377/hblog20200716.620294
- Address Social Determinants of Health:
- Four Ways Research Can Drive Racial Equity in Education in 2020 and Beyond, Urban Institute
- COVID-19 Racial Health Disparities Highlight Why We Need to Address Structural Racism, Urban Institute
- The Coronavirus Crisis Is Worsening Racial Inequality: Center for American Progress
- Equality and Equity Graphic: Adapted from original by Craig Froehle
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