PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new study has shed light on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and Hispanic residents at nursing homes in Pennsylvania.
While all nursing homes and long-term care facilities have felt the weight of COVID-19, Black and Hispanic residents have been more severely affected, according to a joint report by groups including Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and the Center for Advocacy for Rights & Interests of Elderly (CARIE).
Researchers found majority Black and Hispanic nursing homes more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks. Those outbreaks were more severe and deadlier.
Nursing homes with at least 7 in 10 Black and Hispanic residents had a 40% higher death rate than facilities with mostly white populations.
Read the full report below.
These findings add another layer to the previous existing inequalities in long-term care facilities.
Researchers suggested a number of ways in which for Gov. Tom Wolf and the Departments of Health and Human Services can take action to address these inequities — including increasing staffing levels and quality of training.