Thread by @UREssien

The health inequities observed in the #COVID19 pandemic have been devastatingly alarming.

Grateful my friend and one of the smartest people I know, ⁦@atheendar⁩ joined me to share some solutions to address this problem in ⁦@JAMAHealthForum⁩. jamanetwork.com/channels/healt…

"Now, emerging data illustrate that Black and Hispanic Americans are dying at far higher rates from Covid-19 than any other groups in the nation. These disparities are just the most recent manifestation of centuries’ worth of racial and ethnic gaps in health outcomes." 2/

"The prevalence of cardiometabolic disease in black and Hispanic communities has continued to rise. However, focusing on individual clinical factors may mislead from identifying the true root causes of racial and ethnic disparities observed in COVID-19 mortality." 3/

"As states shut down services and nonessential businesses, many within communities of color were left with the perverse choice of staying home to avoid contracting COVID-19 or continuing to work to maintain their livelihoods..." 4/

"Short-term approaches will need to be bolstered by policies that support socioeconomic flourishing in minority communities, such as interventions to improve access to high-quality education and address ongoing discrimination in labor markets, housing, and the justice system." 5/

I've learned so much from my mentors this past month who have shared on this topic: @LisaCooperMD @DrMonicaPeek @gcsmd @uche_blackstock @KBibbinsDomingo @AliciaFMD @CamaraJones @TalmadgeKing @NMHheartdoc @BHWilliamsMD @JessieKimbrough @GuerraViswanath @GbengaOgedegbe & more 6/

As well as my colleagues, friends, and peers: @taisonbell @EbonyJadeHilton @Leighwebb_MD @AmakaEMD @DrDeidraCrews @QuentinYoumans @MaxJordan_N @DrKMSimon @kjanswers @LashNolen @dereckwpaul @LucySchulson @translatedmed @JessicaYBreland @IshaniG @KarlaGalaviz10 @PoojaLagisetty 7/

Ready to keep amplifying this message of ensuring #HealthEquity across every wave of the #COVID19 pandemic.

It's been called a war, so maybe this is our "war that we can prove that we're much more than anyone bargained for."

Let's get it. 👊🏾✊🏾

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