Infographics

Systemic Racism Is a Public Health Crisis

Health Equity / Coronavirus / Social Determinants of Health

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.

Citations & Additional Resources

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