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The Color of COVID-19: Structural Racism and the Disproportionate Impact of the Pandemic on Older Black and Latinx Adults
[Racial disparities in mortality in the adult Hispanic population]

Author

Listed:
  • Marc A Garcia
  • Patricia A Homan
  • Catherine García
  • Tyson H Brown
  • Deborah S Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this evidence-based theoretically informed article was to provide an overview of how and why the COVID-19 outbreak is particularly detrimental for the health of older Black and Latinx adults.MethodsWe draw upon current events, academic literature, and numerous data sources to illustrate how biopsychosocial factors place older adults at higher risk for COVID-19 relative to younger adults, and how structural racism magnifies these risks for black and Latinx adults across the life course.ResultsWe identify 3 proximate mechanisms through which structural racism operates as a fundamental cause of racial/ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 burden among older adults: (a) risk of exposure, (b) weathering processes, and (c) health care access and quality.DiscussionWhile the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis, the racial/ethnic health inequalities among older adults it has exposed are longstanding and deeply rooted in structural racism within American society. This knowledge presents both challenges and opportunities for researchers and policymakers as they seek to address the needs of older adults. It is imperative that federal, state, and local governments collect and release comprehensive data on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths by race/ethnicity and age to better gauge the impact of the outbreak across minority communities. We conclude with a discussion of incremental steps to be taken to lessen the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 among older Black and Latinx adults, as well as the need for transformative actions that address structural racism in order to achieve population health equity.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc A Garcia & Patricia A Homan & Catherine García & Tyson H Brown & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "The Color of COVID-19: Structural Racism and the Disproportionate Impact of the Pandemic on Older Black and Latinx Adults [Racial disparities in mortality in the adult Hispanic population]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(3), pages 75-80.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:3:p:e75-e80.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbaa114
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Idorenyin Imoh Udoh & Elias Mpofu & Gayle Prybutok, 2023. "Dementia and COVID-19 among Older African American Adults: A Scoping Review of Healthcare Access and Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Tavonia Ekwegh & Sharon Cobb & Edward K. Adinkrah & Roberto Vargas & Lucy W. Kibe & Humberto Sanchez & Joe Waller & Hoorolnesa Ameli & Mohsen Bazargan, 2023. "Factors Associated with Telehealth Utilization among Older African Americans in South Los Angeles during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Anneliese N. Luck & Irma T. Elo & Samuel H. Preston & Eugenio Paglino & Katherine Hempstead & Andrew C. Stokes, 2023. "COVID-19 and All-Cause Mortality by Race, Ethnicity, and Age Across Five Periods of the Pandemic in the United States," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(4), pages 1-29, August.
    4. Dongjuan Xu & Greg Arling, 2023. "Are Frail Older People from Racial/Ethnic Minorities at Double Jeopardy of Putting off Healthcare during the Pandemic?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Lee, Haena & Andrasfay, Theresa & Riley, Alicia & Wu, Qiao & Crimmins, Eileen, 2022. "Do social determinants of health explain racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    6. Yen-Ju Lin & Yu-Ping Chang & Wen-Jiun Chou & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2021. "Explicit and Intrinsic Intention to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination among Heterosexuals and Sexual Minorities in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-10, July.
    7. Wilkes, Rima & Karimi, Aryan, 2023. "Multi-group data versus dual-side theory: On race contrasts and police-caused homicides," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).

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