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Review
. 2023 Jun;10(3):1455-1465.
doi: 10.1007/s40615-022-01331-5. Epub 2022 May 20.

History Repeating-How Pandemics Collide with Health Disparities in the United States

Grace McCarthy  1 , Sarah Shore  1 , Esra Ozdenerol  2 , Altha Stewart  3   4 , Arash Shaban-Nejad  5   6 , David L Schwartz  7   8   9
Affiliations
Review

History Repeating-How Pandemics Collide with Health Disparities in the United States

Grace McCarthy et al. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Across the United States, public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have fallen short. COVID-19 has exacerbated longstanding public health shortfalls in disadvantaged communities. Was this predestined? Understanding where we are today requires reflection on our longer journey. Disparities cataloged during COVID-19 reflect the same unequal host exposure and susceptibility risks that shaped previous pandemics. In this review, we provide historical context to better understand current events and to showcase forgotten lessons which may motivate future action to protect our most vulnerable citizens.

Keywords: COVID; Health disparities; Pandemic; Public health; United States.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Public service message encouraging masks (Oakland Tribune, October 23, 1918, p. 2) [7]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Newspaper headlines from Denver, CO (Rocky Mountain News, November 24, 1918, p. 5) [11, 12]
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Prior 14-day COVID-19 case rates per 100,000 (above, lowest to highest rates represented yellow to red) and total COVID-19 vaccinations (below, lowest to highest numbers represented yellow to red) geospatially mapped by zip code in Shelby County, TN [74]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. City placed under strict quarantine to check epidemic.” In: San Antonio Express. December 10, 1918. http://www.influenzaarchive.org/. Accessed 1 July 2021.
    1. Schools closed; churches also will suspend” In: New Orleans Times-Picayune. October 9. 1918. http://www.influenzaarchive.org/. Accessed 1 July 2021.
    1. “Influenza mask measure drawn; council to pass it Wednesday?” In: Oregon Daily Journal. January 14, 1919. Accessed 1 July 2021.

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