Sick While Black: An Unhealthy Combination

The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted many of the failings of the U.S. healthcare system, including the racial disparities that have always been present. You are probably aware that African Americans and Hispanic Americans have suffered more from Covid-19 than their white fellow citizens. In Chicago, where blacks make up 30% of the population, they make up 50% of Covid-19 cases and nearly 70% of the deaths. Similar statistics are found throughout the country. Part of the reason that blacks have suffered disproportionately is due to social and economic factors: blacks are more likely to live in crowded housing, which increases disease spread; they are more likely to depend on crowded public transportation, where “social distancing” is difficult or impossible.