Center for America Progress Report Shows Why Blacks Are Dying From the Coronavirus

A new report from the Center for American Progress shows how African Americans and other people of color in the United States are more at risk from complications of the COVID-19 virus because they are more likely to have other medical issues that make them more susceptible to serious complications from the virus. And people of color are more likely than White Americans to have jobs that pose a greater risk of exposure to the virus. The luxury of working at home is not an option for many millions of African Americans.

The report shows that at least 28 percent of people of color between the ages of 18 and 64 — more than 21 million people in total — have a medical condition that could put them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People of color are more likely to reside in food deserts and near pollution-emitting industrial facilities and other environmental hazards that contribute to high rates of asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and other maladies. Such health disparities, which are a product of structural racism rather than individual choices or behavior, have contributed to stark inequities in COVID-19 outcomes.

Governors or mayors who prematurely roll back social distancing policies will be forcing many at-risk Americans back to work in extremely dangerous environments against their will.

Related Articles

1 COMMENT

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

George Mason University’s Philip Wilkerson Named Mentor of the Year

Philip Wilkerson, an employer engagement consultant for career services at George Mason University in Farifax, Virginia, received the Mentor of the Year Award from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Oakwood University Wins 2024 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

The Honda All-Star Challenge is an annual academic competition for students and faculty at historically Black colleges and universities. This year's top finisher, Oakwood University, received a $100,000 grant for their win.

Eight Black Scholars Appointed to New Faculty Positions

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

MIT Launches HBCU Science Journalism Fellowship

The new HBCU Science Journalism Fellowship will provide students from Howard University, Hampton University, Florida A&M University, Morgan State University, and North Carolina A&T State University with hands-on training and individualized mentorship to develop their journalistic skills.

Featured Jobs