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Equity
“Racial equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care,”
The Impact of COVID on Communities of Color (IC3)
The COVID-19 pandemic has left no corner of American society untouched, but its impact has been especially harsh on communities of color and those facing economic hardships. The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, including financial insecurity, limited access to vital safety nets, and barriers to healthcare. These challenges not only strained individuals’ ability to afford housing, medical care, and basic expenses but also took a toll on their mental and emotional well-being.
Recognizing these disparities, Healthcare Ready, with support from the Walmart Foundation, launched the Impact of COVID on Communities of Color (IC3) Project. This initiative employs three research strategies—mapping, polling, and community interviews—to uncover the unique needs and struggles of these vulnerable communities. Notably, mapping revealed that a significant percentage of counties facing high vulnerability to COVID-19’s impact were predominantly non-white, with a majority of their population living in poverty. Polling data showed that emotional and mental health suffered greatly during the pandemic, with demographic variations in the challenges faced. Finally, community interviews in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Hidalgo County, Texas, spotlighted widespread food insecurity, housing and employment issues, mental health needs, and disparities in healthcare access.
The IC3 Project’s findings underscore the urgent need to address disparities in the pandemic response and improve outcomes for the most vulnerable among us. To explore the comprehensive data and recommendations from this project, click here. Together, we can work towards a more equitable and resilient future for all Americans.
