NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Racial inequity during the omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was the most severe it’s ever been in New York City, with Black New Yorkers hospitalized at twice the rate of white ones, according to a study released Wednesday by the New York City Department of Health.
“Understanding why the dramatic inequities experienced by Black New Yorkers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic became worse during this most recent surge requires a deeper analysis and cannot be explained by simple factors,” wrote the Department of Health in the study. “This white paper traces the cascade of factors that ultimately result in these inequities and lays out a roadmap for action.”
The study partially attributes this disparity to structural inequality that makes it less likely Black New Yorkers will be able to work from home and lower rates of vaccination among Black communities.
Black New Yorkers were also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of infection and are more likely to have a comorbidity like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Both of these factors can exacerbate the seriousness of an infection.
The report identified a number of structural problems as root causes for the factors that put Black New Yorkers at disproportionately high risk for severe COVID-19 infection, including the racial wealth gap, limited workers rights, segregated housing, inadequate health insurance, essential worker status and more.
Recognizing the racial disparity in the impact of coronavirus, the city undertook a vaccination strategy that targeted predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. The health department established the Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity to carry out this strategy.
The taskforce succeeded at reaching the target goal of a 70% vaccination rate in 73 out of 74 of the neighborhoods it was active in, though this program was not enough to close the gap between Black and white New Yorkers facing hospitalization from coronavirus.
The study identified further steps needed in order to bring about COVID-19 health equity and issued a call to action to health plans, clinical providers and community-based organizations to establish further outreach and education programs.
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