These factors and others are associated with more COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in areas where racial and ethnic minority groups live, learn, work, play, and worship.[5],[10], [20], [21] They have also contributed to higher rates of some medical conditions that increase one’s risk of severe illness from COVID-19. In addition, community strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 may cause unintentional harm, such as lost wages, reduced access to services, and increased stress, for some racial and ethnic minority groups. [22] What We Can Do The COVID-19 pandemic may change some of the ways we connect and support each other. As individuals and communities respond to COVID-19 recommendations and circumstances (e.g., school closures, workplace closures, social distancing), there are often unintended negative impacts on emotional well-being such as loss of social connectedness and support. Shared faith, family, and cultural bonds are common sources of social support. Finding ways to maintain support and connection, even when physically apart, can empower and encourage individuals and communities to protect themselves, care for those who become sick, keep kids healthy, and better cope with stress. Community- and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health agencies, policy makers, and others all have a part in helping to promote fair access to health. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must work together to ensure that people have resources to maintain and manage their physical and mental health, including easy access to information, affordable testing, and medical and mental health care. We need programs and practices that fit the communities where racial and minority groups live, learn, work, play, and worship. Data on COVID-19 and Race and Ethnicity CDC resources • CDC COVID Data Tracker • COVID-NET: A Weekly Summary of U.S. COVID-19 Hospitalization Data • COVIDView: A Weekly Surveillance Summary of U.S. COVID-19 Activity Other resources • The COVID Tracking Project’s The COVID Racial Data Trackerexternal icon • Emory University’s COVID-19 Health Equity Interactive Dashboardexternal icon gO dIGITAL aDVERTISE WITH The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2020 27
28 Publizr Home