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. 2020 Sep;12(3):311-327.
doi: 10.1002/wmh3.358. Epub 2020 Aug 5.

Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality Among Essential Workers in the United States

Tiana N Rogers, Charles R Rogers, Elizabeth VanSant-Webb, Lily Y Gu, Bin Yan, Fares Qeadan

Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality Among Essential Workers in the United States

Tiana N Rogers et al. World Med Health Policy. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Racial disparities are apparent in the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States, yet the factors contributing to racial inequities in COVID-19 mortality remain controversial. To better understand these factors, we investigated racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality among America's essential workers. Data from the American Community Survey and Current Population Survey was used to examine the correlation between the prevalence of COVID-19 deaths and occupational differences across racial/ethnic groups and states. COVID-19 mortality was higher among non-Hispanic (NH) Blacks compared with NH Whites, due to more NH Blacks holding essential-worker positions. Vulnerability to coronavirus exposure was increased among NH Blacks, who disproportionately occupied the top nine essential occupations. As COVID-19 death rates continue to rise, existing structural inequalities continue to shape racial disparities in this pandemic. Policies mandating the disaggregation of state-level data by race/ethnicity are vital to ensure equitable and evidence-based response and recovery efforts.

Keywords: coronavirus; health status disparities; infectious diseases; occupational health; race factors; viral transmission.

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