Citation
Poteat, Tonia; Millett, Gregorio A.; Nelson, LaRon E.; & Beyrer, Chris (2020). Understanding COVID-19 Risks and Vulnerabilities among Black Communities in America: The Lethal Force of Syndemics. Annals of Epidemiology, 47, 1-3. PMCID: PMC7224650Abstract
Black communities in the United States are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and the underlying conditions that exacerbate its negative consequences. Syndemic theory provides a useful framework for understanding how such interacting epidemics to develop under conditions of health and social disparity. Multiple historical and present-day factors have created the syndemic conditions within which Black Americans experience the lethal force of COVID-19. These factors include racism and its manifestations (e.g., chattel slavery, mortgage redlining, political gerrymandering, lack of Medicaid expansion, employment discrimination, and healthcare provider bias). Improving racial disparities in COVID-19 will require that we implement policies that address structural racism at the root of these disparities.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.05.004Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2020Journal Title
Annals of EpidemiologyAuthor(s)
Poteat, ToniaMillett, Gregorio A.
Nelson, LaRon E.
Beyrer, Chris