Thread by @elisemmyers

As has happened with respiratory disease before, #COVID19 /#SARSCoV2 is disproportionately impacting racial and ethnic minorities in the US. The same will be true for low income/socioeconomic status individuals. For more information, see my recent review: preprints.org/manuscript/202…

This impact is due to higher rates of comorbidities, greater pollution exposure, fewer resources for avoiding/mitigating disease, racism in medical care, regularly experienced racism, increased exposure risk (pub transit, essential jobs, etc.), decreased healthcare access, & more

Low income/SES is also a health risk factor - higher comorbidities of concern, decreased access to care, fewer resources, greater exposure risk, etc.
Decreased numbers of rural hospitals creates even more vulnerability. #COVID19 #SARSCoV2

For 2009 H1N1 - hospitalizations increased w/poverty & disproportionately affected racial & ethnic minorities. Severe disease & death was 4 times higher for American Indians & Alaska Natives than for Non-Hispanic whites. Hospitalizations were also higher for Blacks & Hispanics

Clinical data suggests that #diabetes, cardiovascular disease, & #hypertension increase #COVID19 case severity; these #comorbidities occur at higher rates in racial & ethnic minorities & low income individuals in the US. An overview of why is in my review: preprints.org/manuscript/202…

Deliberate action prioritizing marginalized communities is needed now to minimize the disproportionate impacts of #COVID19/#SARSCoV2 on these populations, both now and in the coming years. See end of review for concrete recommendations.

On a different note - thank you so much to the Sociology, Public Health, and Policy experts from the @ColumbiaSoCA community who provided helpful discussions, feedback, and comments on this manuscript. You inspire me ❤️