The cause of the disproportionate amount of COVID-19 cases within low-income communities and communities of color can’t be directly streamlined to one source. COVID-19 disparities mimic the pattern of disparity we see in many other health issues, Hypertension, malnutrition, infant mortality, and heart diseases are just some of the health issues where low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected.
These can be accredited to issues of health inequity, where not only access to healthcare is a problem, but the quality of healthcare that some communities don’t seem to be afforded. These issues are rooted from implicit bias of healthcare personnel, environmental factors-such as food deserts, quality of living spaces, and exposure to others-that unfairly affect the health outcomes of many, and, of course, stress from racism. The combination of all these issues both indirectly and directly connect to the cause of disparities in COVID-19 cases.
As a high school student, it’s hard to see what role you play in creating a more equitable health care system, but this job is not just for doctors or the government. Each and every person can help to disrupt the system and racism.
How? “Talk about it,” said Dr. Francis Mills, director of the Cleveland Office of Minority Health. As the director of Minority Health, Francis Mills focuses on promoting health equity in the city of Cleveland. In other words, she ensures that each resident in Cleveland has a fair opportunity to reach full health potential.
“Talk about it. I know what it’s like to go to a private school in which if you’re a person of color going against your counterparts talking about race and talking about equity. It’s difficult sometimes, but we are at a place where we have to talk about it, and I’m counting on you as young people not to be colorblind.”
Dr. Mills reiterated that this is not a post racial era. You must first acknowledge a person's identity and start the conversation about race before we can make a change.
This year, the City of Cleveland, Summit County and Cuyahoga County started the conversation about race and began to address the problem by approving and passing legislation identifying racism as a public health crisis. The legislation aims to “reduce disparities between black and white residents,” according to Courtney Astolfi from Cleveland.com.
“Over the next year you’ll probably see a great deal of movement around how local communities are beginning to address systemic racism across it’s county and its city systems,” speculated Dr. Mills. For example, since the legislation passed, Cuyahoga County has started collecting data on racial health disparities which was previously unavailable. In addition, Cuyahoga County is constructing a legislative agenda to focus on ending racism.
Health systems in Cleveland recognize the importance of access to quality care health providers and providers. According to Infectious Disease Specialist Keith Armitage, implicit bias training has been a part of medical schools and residency programs for years.
Even though implicit bias training occurs during residencies, it continues to be an issue within many health care facilities. However, medical professionals are beginning to recognize the weaknesses in their institute and doing something about it.
For example, OB/GYN Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew spearheads a team to promote anti-racist ideals at University Hospital. The team is called The “Social Equity and Justice Team.” The whole point of the team is to take a system-wide “look at what policies and procedures what behaviors do we have that may be rooted in racism that we can really call out what we can change.”
Dr. Pettigrew recognizes that she cannot fix racism everywhere, but she is determined to make a difference where she has the power. “We cannot control anything else outside our system, but we sure can look at our own system and our own house and say: are we doing anything?” she stated.
Dr. Pettigrew stresses the importance for each institution to create a space of healing and deal with the issues of social justice and equity within their own walls. She said, “Now it's time, and hopefully it's the tipping point, that we say, let's understand how we got here. Let's understand what happened, and understand the structure of this country and why these things continue to happen.”
Even with these programs implemented, more work and resources are needed in order to truly compete with the systems that are rooted to work against these disadvantaged communities. Data still shows the disparities, evidently meaning that these issues of health inequity still haven’t been alleviated.
We can all champion the same values as Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew. Look within your own communities whether that's in your clubs, sports teams, or even within your school to see who isn't being represented and/or who isn't receiving equitable treatment. When you see an issue, speak up to those in charge.
There are many organizations doing meaningful work to engage young people to get involved in racial equity. One of these organizations is the Family and Children First Council led by the Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services department. Click on the image below to learn more about the ways you can interact with this organization.
Now, it is time for you all to educate yourself on health inequities, investigate the ways you can address these health inequities by speaking up to leaders in your community, and interact with the greater Cleveland community to spark change.
What to learn more?
Take a look at these websites and organizations that talk about Health Equity.
Ohio Department of Health
Purpose of Organization: Education
Mission: “Advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans”
At the Ohio Department of Health website you can find statistics on health disparities in the State of Ohio. Use this site to educate yourself and others on the magnitude of health disparities in Ohio.
National Institute of Health Office of Minority Health
Purpose of Organization: Education
Mission: “The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) leads scientific research to improve minority health and eliminate health disparities.”
The National Institute of Health Office of Minority health researches minority health and the health disparities within those communities. On their website you can find information about minority groups and the ways health disparities impact them.
Healthy Northeast Ohio
Website: http://www.healthyneo.org/
Purpose of Organization: Education
Mission: “We’re dedicated to bringing the power of data-informed decision making to all members of our community.”
Health northeast Ohio provides comparative data on health disparities between States. If you would like to see how Ohio’s statistics compare elsewhere take a look at this site.
First Year Cleveland
Website: https://www.firstyearcleveland.org/
Purpose of Organization: Activism
Mission: “To mobilize the community through partnerships and a unified strategy to reduce infant death and racial disparities.”
First Year Cleveland is a non profit organization that focuses on infant mortality rates in Cleveland. First Year Cleveland focuses on ways to reduce infant mortality especially in minority groups.
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