African American COVID-19 mortality: a sentinel event. | PSNet

African American COVID-19 mortality: a sentinel event. | PSNet

African American COVID-19 Mortality: A Sentinel Event

Ferdinand KC, Nasser SA.  J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020

The authors of this editorial discuss the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on African Americans and highlight ways in which the pandemic has exacerbated existing healthcare disparities in cardiovascular disease and system failures in the health care system. The authors propose several actions to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and addressing existing disparities and underlying structural factors such as housing inequities. Suggested solutions include conducting targeted COVID-19 testing in housing environments where residents aren’t able to easily practice social isolation, encouraging team-approach telemedicine, and supporting low-cost or free online physical activities.