Children From Minorities Are More Likely To Die From Covid-19

In this article, we’ll talk about why children from minorities are more likely to die from Covid-19 and how to improve the situation. According to recent CDC research, most COVID mortality among children in the United States occurs among people of African, Hispanic, and Native American descent.

Despite the fact that COVID-19 is often less severe in children under the age of 21 than in older age groups, new CDC data reveals that among children who have died of COVID, 78% were Black, Hispanic, or Native American. These results are representative of the larger healthcare inequities faced by people of color in the United States.

Although people under the age of 21 make up only 41% of the United States population, they account for almost 75% of all pediatric COVID-19 deaths.

The results of the study showed that at the end of July 2020, around 45% of the 121 juvenile COVID-19 fatalities in the United States were of Hispanic origin, 29% were of Black origin, and 4% were of Native American origin. When taken as a whole, these numbers are truly shocking and reason for serious alarm.

The pandemic has shed light on unacceptable, terrible, and potentially lethal racial inequities affecting our children on a variety of fronts.

A Complex Problem.

In the report, the CDC states that racial and ethnic discrepancies in COVID-19 and MIS-C incidence and outcomes are likely caused by differences in social determinants of health, such as overcrowding, food, and housing insecurity, financial and educational inequality, and racial discrimination.

Poor Availability of Medical Treatment.

One of the most significant issues confronting minority groups in the United States is a lack of access to health care. Lifespan reduction, increased diabetes incidence, and other persistent health problems are some of the long-term consequences. The rate at which children are vaccinated can also drop as a result.

Over a third of Black, Hispanic, and Native American deaths among those under the age of 21 occurred outside of a hospital environment, suggesting that lack of access to health care is a significant factor in the COVID-19 pandemic as well.

It’s likely that people avoided becoming sick or going to the hospital because they didn’t have access to health insurance or services.

Preexisting Health Problems.

More than 75% of the juveniles who died from COVID also suffered from a preexisting medical condition, which likely contributed to the disproportionate representation of minorities in this population. Asthma and obesity topped the list.

Overweight children are more common among children of color, especially Black and Hispanic children, and have been for quite some time.

8 Furthermore, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) state that being overweight can have serious effects on a young person’s health, including an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, along with a plethora of other problems, including stress, sadness, and low self-esteem.

This is a potentially catastrophic development in the context of the ongoing COVID pandemic. Low-income children are more likely to have obesity, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, all of which worsen COVID-19 results.

Implications for Your Future

First, tackle racism in U.S. healthcare to reduce pandemic mortality. To protect the health and well-being of minorities, improving their access to low-cost or even free medical care, safe and secure housing, and information about making nutritious dietary choices and maintaining a healthy weight is essential.

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