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. 2021 Dec:8:100283.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajpc.2021.100283. Epub 2021 Oct 16.

Disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic: A clarion call for preventive cardiology

Keith C Ferdinand  1 , Tina K Reddy  1
Affiliations

Disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic: A clarion call for preventive cardiology

Keith C Ferdinand et al. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

In 2020, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the US, with increased hospitalizations and mortality linked to factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, higher social vulnerability, and lower socioeconomic status. These multiple factors contribute to inequities in COVID-19 outcomes, including among older persons, members of racial/ethnic populations, and persons experiencing homelessness. Perhaps the best pathway to overcome the distressing high degree of death and disability due to COVID-19 has shown to be immunization with widespread acceptance, uptake, and vaccine access. Especially in racial/ethnic communities, it is important to utilize trusted leaders to overcome common vaccine misconceptions and barriers. This commentary summarizes the keynote lecture given to the Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC) addressing the intersection of social injustice, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disparities, and increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in racial/ethnic populations in the US.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cardiometabolic risk factors; Racial/ethnic disparities; Social determinants of health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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