Health Equity and COVID-19

Health equity means that different groups have the same conditions, despite different genetic backgrounds, that permit nearly equal positive health outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging communities in the U.S. that represent Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans and other poor communities. Latinos have had 3 times the cases, 5 times the hospitalizetions, and 2 times the deaths compared to white Americans. Most of these individuals are essential workers who cannot social distance and stay at home to protect themselves from the corona virus transmission. Many Latinos work in the food industry and in nursing homes and hospitals. Latinos also live in multigenerational housing and find it difficult to quarantine if infected. As the COVID-19 vaccines became available, it has become important to educate our communities about disinformation, vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake, as well as mitigation of the COVID-19 by wearing masks, washing your hands often, testing and social distancing as needed. COVID-19 has caused a major national economic downturn and will impact our way of life for years to come.

Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. The current focus is on the great impact COVID-19 has had on people's mental health, especially essential workers and the health workforce. More people during the pandemic had to deal with increased illness, caregiving, and medical bills of family and friends.

Social Determinants of Health

Documentation shows that 90 percent of the place we live, work, and play are factors that determine our health compared to the 10 percent of health care management and treatments. These social determinants of health include the food we eat, the housing we live in, having access to safe spaces for physical activity, and transportation to the doctor. Other determinants, having a car, having social support, and not being isolated.

ClimateChange

Another major issue faced by poor communities is the impact of air pollution, carbon power plants that has led to climate change. Climate change is causing increased heat, asthma, allergies and cancers.

Mentorship

Often college students interested in health care careers are academic high-achievers, do well in math and science. They are drawn to medicine or other health care careers but lack the role models and mentors who can provide the knowledge to guide them on their journey.

Leadership Development

As healthcare systems seek a strategic vision on how to decrease health care disparities and to partner with communities and public health agencies, physician leaders are critical. Physicians trained to lead teams to find solutions to improve patient's health and be participants in population-level decisions, especially about communities they know.