Exposure: How COVID-19 Amplifies Healthcare Inequities in America
Channel: New America
Date: 14/04/2020

New America Indianapolis and The Indianapolis Recorder are both committed to ensuring that the perspectives of Black Midwesterners are represented and engaged in solving public problems. The COVID-19 outbreak is impacting all Americans but it will, quite simply, impact Black America differently. Systemic barriers and racism have set the stage -- we cannot respond to the crisis without facing those barriers explicitly and as a community.

Join us for "COVID and the Black Community" a weekly online community conversation series, co-hosted by New America and the Recorder, and featuring local and national experts and resources. The third installment in the series is Tuesday April 14 from 2:00-3:30PM EST: "Exposure: How COVID-19 Amplifies Healthcare Inequities in America."

Across the country, Black Americans are over-represented in frontline occupations; disproportionately grappling with poverty, lack of affordable healthcare, a lack of paid leave, and a lower rate of ability to telecommute; and disproportionately impacted by conditions that increase the risk of poor outcome (heart disease, diabetes). This inequity is, quite bluntly, deadly: Consider Midwestern communities like Chicago where 70% of COVID deaths have been among Black patients or Milwaukee where the rate is 81%. In both cities the overall Black population is around 30%. Detroit--which is 80% Black--is at the heart of Michigan's outbreak.

Against a sobering backdrop, our experts will wrestle with problems and solutions.

Data indicate that Black Americans are especially vulnerable to bad outcomes from COVID-19 — what can be done to combat this trend and how do we address it now and beyond the outbreak.
Before this crisis, Black Americans reported unsatisfactory and, at times, traumatic experiences with healthcare providers: not being taken seriously, trouble accessing affordable care, etc. What policies and practices could help combat this inequity?

Trust and credibility are challenges when dealing with a history of inequitable service: if and when a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is available, what are ways to ensure that Black residents have timely information and access?

GUESTS:

Dr. Virginia Caine, M.D., Director - Marion County Public Health Department
Carl Ellison, President/CEO - Indiana Minority Health Coalition

Antoniette M. Holt, Director - Office of Minority Health, Indiana State Department of Health

Dr. Erica Renee Huddleston, M.D., Community Health Network

Dr. Woody Myers, M.D. Owner - Myers Ventures, Fmr. Indiana State Health Commissioner

Dr. Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H. Secretary - Family and Social Services Administration, State of Indiana

MODERATORS:

Oseye Boyd, Editors, Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Business Magazine @thequeenoseyeb

Molly Martin Director, New America Indy @mollygmartin




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