Can anything even be done about racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19?

Social and Racial Justice

A. Although the reasons for the disparities are numerous and complex, a few of our posts this week point to potential targets for intervention (e.g. segregation, healthcare system, and others). Clinicians and scientists have also offered data and policy solutions to address the high burden COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths that are disproportionately impacting minority Read more…

Racial Disparities in COVID-19

Data and Metrics Social and Racial Justice

You’ve talked a lot about racial disparities in COVID19. What do you mean by disparities, and what does this actually look like for COVID19? A: A health disparity when we see a preventable difference in health outcomes when we compare a socially or economically disadvantaged group to a more advantaged one. So for example, when Read more…

How can a virus discriminate?

Biology/Immunity Infection and Spread

Q: Shouldn’t everyone be equally vulnerable? A: A virus just wants to reproduce itself, and so in this sense it does not discriminate, seeking out any host it can find from your next-door neighbor to the Prime Minister of the UK. But to understand that while no one is completely safe, some people face much Read more…

What historical factors contributed to many U.S. cities becoming highly segregated, and how is this related to the racial inequities in COVID-19 we are seeing today?

Social and Racial Justice

Q: Talk to me about history. What historical factors contributed to many U.S. cities becoming highly segregated, and how is this related to the racial inequities in COVID-19 we are seeing today? A: In the interview linked to below, Reggie Jackson, Head Griot of America’s Black Holocaust Museum, describes four discriminatory housing policies and practices Read more…

Any recent news on the treatment/vaccine front?

Treatments Vaccines

A: Yes! Three happy pieces of news this week: (1) The launch of an early-stage clinical trial for what’s believed to be the world’s first antibody treatment against COVID-19; (2) A Stat News interview with Dr. Fauci showcasing his cautious optimism about vaccine development; (3) New data on the anti-viral Remdesivir indicating the treatment’s effectiveness Read more…

Malia Jones & Lindsey Leininger on The Sydcast

Infection and Spread Staying Safe

Curious about the Dear Pandemic origin story? Interested in learning more about harm reduction? Wondering about parallels between past pandemics and COVID-19? Thanks to Professor Sydney Finkelstein for hosting Nerdy Girls Alison and Lindsey on the season 2 opener of his fantastic podcast series, The Sydcast. We greatly enjoyed the wide-ranging discussion, touching on all Read more…

What are some factors underlying racial and social health disparities in COVID-19 and overall health?

Social and Racial Justice

A: Our awesome Nerdy friend Dr. Tiffany Green, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison recently provided this timely interview about COVID-19 and race-related health disparities. In this interview, Professor Green covers race differences in occupational structures, health care infection control, access to care, Read more…