How coronavirus has exposed racial bias in healthcare

Dr Sandra Scott Simons

This might make you feel uncomfortable, perhaps even defensive. Talking about racism will do that, but we don’t have the luxury of ignoring the topic.

COVID-19 is disproportionately killing people of colour.

A recent Associated Press analysis of the available race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 found that nearly one third of those in America who have died are African American, even though they represent only 14% of the population.1

We doctors are doing our minority patients a disservice if we don’t heed the virus’ warning to address widespread health disparities.