Low-income, dually eligible beneficiaries, and health disparities based on racial inequalities and socio-economic factors, are central to the policy and advocacy work at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. These areas of concern are particularly important now, due to early COVID-19 research and data showing the correlation between low incomes, communities of color and risks of illness and severity of illness, for and following infection with COVID-19.
We highlight these issues and related resources to help call attention to the ongoing, harmful health disparities exposed by the pandemic. The data regarding the disparate impact from the COVID crisis is striking and calls out for change.
Some resources:
- Kaiser Family Foundation: Low-Income and Communities of Color at Higher Risk of Serious Illness if Infected with Coronavirus
- Kaiser Family Foundation:: Communities of Color at Higher Risk for Health and Economic Challenges due to COVID-19
- Kaiser Family Foundation:: Double Jeopardy: Low Wage Workers at Risk for Health and Financial Implications of COVID-19
- Brookings Institution: Why are Blacks dying at higher rates from COVID-19?
- Brookings Institution: How to Reduce the Racial Gap in COVID-19 Deaths
- CDC: COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
- Urban Institute: COVID-19 Racial Health Disparities Highlight Why We Need to Address Structural Racism
The Center for Medicare Advocacy will write more about these issues during the coming weeks.