It's been clear for months that Black and Latino people in the U.S. were being harmed by the coronavirus at higher rates.
But new data we obtained by suing the CDC shows just how widespread the disparity is across the country.
Here's what we found. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
But new data we obtained by suing the CDC shows just how widespread the disparity is across the country.
Here's what we found. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
The data provides detailed characteristics of 640,000 coronavirus infections detected in nearly 1,000 U.S. counties.
It shows that Black and Latino people have been affected by the virus at much higher rates than white people for months. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
It shows that Black and Latino people have been affected by the virus at much higher rates than white people for months. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
We found that Black and Latino people are 3 times as likely to contract the coronavirus as their white neighbors — and twice as likely to die.
The inequity spans the U.S. — in urban, suburban and rural areas — and cuts across every age group. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
The inequity spans the U.S. — in urban, suburban and rural areas — and cuts across every age group. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
Among 249 U.S. counties with at least 5,000 Black residents for which we obtained detailed data, the infection rate for African-American residents is higher than the rate for white residents in all but 14 of those counties. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
For 206 counties with at least 5,000 Latino residents for which we have detailed data, 178 have higher coronavirus infection rates for Latino residents than for white residents. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
Even these figures understate the disparity to some extent because the virus is far more prevalent in older Americans, who are disproportionately white.
When comparing age groups, the disparities are even more extreme. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
When comparing age groups, the disparities are even more extreme. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
For example, Latino people between the ages of 40 and 59 have been infected at 5 times the rate of white people in the same age group, the data shows.
Of Latino people who died, more than 25% were younger than 60. Among white people who died, only 6% were that young.
Of Latino people who died, more than 25% were younger than 60. Among white people who died, only 6% were that young.
The data does not include information on how a person might have become infected.
But experts point to circumstances that make Black and Latino people more likely than white people to be exposed to the virus, including the fact that many work jobs that can't be done from home.
But experts point to circumstances that make Black and Latino people more likely than white people to be exposed to the virus, including the fact that many work jobs that can't be done from home.
Housing is another explanation: Many Black and Latino people are more likely than white people to live in cramped apartments or multigenerational homes.
The new CDC data is far from complete. Race and ethnicity information missing from more than half of the cases. And it only includes cases through the end of May, so it doesn't reflect the recent surge in infections that has gripped parts of the U.S. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
But taken together, the data provides the most comprehensive look to date on nearly 1.5 million coronavirus patients in America.
Read our full analysis for more. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
Read our full analysis for more. nyti.ms/31QRGKy
