BIPOC Health Disparities

By Bridget Burns

Over the last several months, as the world has grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, one glaringly apparent issue throughout the US are the health disparities faced by black, indigenous, and people of color. Our government is failing these marginalized communities with the continuation of police brutality, voter suppression, increased gentrification of cities, and lack of access to community resources. Now through gross negligence from the federal government these communities are being infected, hospitalized, and killed by the coronavirus at a higher rate when compared to white and non-hispanic persons. 

One such example is the Navajo Nation, who was severely impacted by the coronavirus. Doctors Without Borders, who have never been dispatched to help a community within the United States, provided aid to them because they have historically been excluded from access to care and emergency response. This turn of events is at odds with the United States image as a world leader. Given the other atrocities the current administration has committed, it is unsurprising that this is happening. However, that does not make it any less horrifying.

Unfortunately, the pandemic was not the beginning of these racial health disparities and has just served to highlight exactly how extreme they are. Looking at statistics from the CDC, BIPOC are infected by the virus at an average rate that is two times higher when compared to white communities. This is an institutional issue that needs to be fixed from the top down. Until the socio-economic factors that contribute to the disenfranchisement of these populations are addressed by our nation’s leaders, things will never get better. This upcoming election can be a turning point, but it is imperative now more than ever that we use our voices to enact change. Some ways to help are through social media, protesting, reaching out to our legislators, creating art, donating, or volunteering. There are so many things that each of us can do on a large or a small scale to help make things better. 

Sharing stories is one way to foster understanding and empathy between different groups of people. Over the last several months that has been our aim at Fueling the Movement, to highlight the beauty of diversity and call attention to the various disparities people have to face. It is our duty as a society to ensure that equality in all aspects of life is achieved.