CDC: People of Color and the Working Class At Higher Risk for COVID-19

By Danielle Ong First Posted: Apr 10, 2020 06:50 AM EDT

(Photo: Reuters)

The global pandemic, COVID-19, has been terrorizing countries across the globe for more than four months since Chinese health officials reported the first case in humans in December 2019.

Initially, doctors found the virus to be extremely dangerous to older people and those with underlying medical conditions. However, new data suggests black Americans are dying at a much higher rate. Working residents who live in impoverished areas are also at risk of daily exposure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said anyone who suffers from ailments such as heart disease or diabetes are at a high risk of contracting coronavirus. A recent report from the federal health organization showed more than three-quarters of hospitalized patients of all ages suffer from at least one pre-existing medical condition. Only half of all patients belonged to the 65-above age group.

A recent analysis of a collection of health-related surveys across the US showed 52 percent of all American adults are at an elevated risk---three-fifths of which are under 65.

Younger black Americans are more likely vulnerable to the disease than white Americans, primarily due to underlying conditions. However, whites who are over 65-years-old have more cases than blacks.

The study also found Americans who live in more impoverished communities and receive the least education are more likely to be at risk. Residents who earn less than $25,000 a year are revealed to be more vulnerable than those with higher incomes.

Elevated risks

Health officials consider everyone over the age of 65 to be at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms related to COVID-19. Data released from hospitals and care facilities revealed more than 30 percent of every age group are also at risk.

(Photo: Dani on Latin Post)
Data Source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Meanwhile, white and black Americans have an almost similar percentage of being classified as high risk. However, white Americans are more likely to have severe symptoms because of their age.

Below is a chart that shows the share of each racial group who are at higher risk from COVID-19 due to age or medical conditions.

(Photo: Dani on Latin Post)
Data Source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

(Photo: Dani on Latin Post)
Data Source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Social Factors

David Williams, a professor at Harvard, said people of color are more likely to develop medical conditions due to social factors like race and socioeconomic status. Black Americans are also more vulnerable to contracting conditions like cardiovascular diseases at a younger age than white Americans.

In a survey conducted by the CDC, almost 16 percent of black Americans did not see a medical professional when they needed one due to financial difficulties. Among Latinos, 20 percent skipped a visit to the doctor's office. Almost 17 percent of Native Americans and multiracial Americans did not receive medical attention. In contrast, only 10 percent of white Americans and 9 percent of Asian Americans did not seek medical care due to financial concerns.

People of color were also found to be twice as likely to lack much-needed health insurance.

Racial residential segregation is said to be one of the primary causes of the disparities. White Americans generally have better employment and education opportunities than those who belong in other communities. The disadvantage leads to fewer health resources and substance abuse, including alcohol and tobacco. They also receive lower-quality health care due to implicit biases.

Williams said the pandemic is leaving many low-income, black, and Hispanic workers unemployed, causing more financial hardship and making it even harder for them to receive proper medical care.

"The people being most hurt by this epidemic are the very people who, at the beginning of the epidemic, were the most vulnerable," he said.