First, I would like to say that I believe it is important for as many people as possible should get vaccinated for the Covid-19 virus. We are all living through a pandemic right now, but our BIPOC communities are by far, disproportionately suffering from the devastation of this virus and need more education and better access to understand the positive effects of the Covid-19 vaccines available.

Studies have revealed similar findings on the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 deaths among some racial and ethnic minority groups. A study of selected states and cities with data on COVID-19 deaths by race and ethnicity showed that 34% of deaths were among non-Hispanic Black people, though this group accounts for only 12% of the total U.S. population – https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124322

Possible Solutions – Outside of getting the vaccine doses for the disproportionately affected communities, we need to be Addressing Health Care Disparities

A multi-pronged strategy is needed to eliminate the persistent racial and economic disparities in health that were exacerbated by COVID-19.

Expand access to health care: The US would benefit from increased investment in community health centers and safety-net hospitals that disproportionately serve individuals who are from minority, low-income, and undocumented immigrant groups in the US. An expansion of Medicaid eligibility for those who have recently lost employer-based insurance would prevent further decreases in access to health care. In addition, hospitals should be prohibited from pursuing debt collection measures against patients who have received COVID-related health services.

Establish equitable care models: To encourage patients to seek needed care, whether for COVID-19 or other issues, health systems should facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary teams that build culturally appropriate communication and outreach practices. This information and these activities must be multilingual and universally accessible. The use of approved encrypted free platforms to communicate with patients beyond traditional phone calls and office visits can help break down access barriers. Systems should establish robust equity and quality measurements for delivering COVID-19 self-care information and prioritize groups that have persistently been excluded from receiving health information. The use of trusted community voices (such as clergy and sports and entertainment stars) should be promoted to encourage vaccination against COVID-19 to ensure that minority communities are not disproportionately unvaccinated.

Address social determinants of health: Although there is limited evidence that it is effective, health care systems should consider screening patients for social needs (eg, housing, food, legal assistance) and connecting patients to existing community resources to address these needs. The 3-month waiting time for adults without children to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits should be waived through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Extending unemployment benefits would enable many people to have sufficient economic resources to be self-sustaining – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2775687

Schedule a Covid-19 Vaccination Appointment with Ingham County here.