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Citation |
Mack DH, Hughes C, Douglas M, Gaglioti A. J. Natl. Med. Assoc. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2020, National Medical Association (USA)) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Disasters don't discriminate against individuals because of their race or ethnic background, but health systems have implicit challenges that do.1 Today's COVID-19 tempestuous atmosphere of social and political uncertainty should remind this nation of Hurricane Katrina's impact on the determinants of health in minority communities. Many of us witnessed the infamous helicopter views of the New Orleans Superdome as thousands of predominantly African American residents awaited rescue. Disaster plans benefited some communities by putting mechanisms in place for life-saving evacuations, but planning for minority communities were disparate, inequitable and eventually devastating.2 Historically the US has not been culturally sensitive during disasters, and does not take into consideration social determinants and how strategic planning for disasters should be constructed to fit the needs of at-risk populations.3,4 These oversights in disaster preparedness also impact local health systems' ability to provide care to disadvantaged populations during and after the event. In the case of Hurricane Katrina, the infrastructure for healthcare, including health information technology, and the manner in which patients sought their post-disaster healthcare was different among diverse communities.5 Like Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to exert undue stress on social factors resulting in long-term physical and mental illnesses of African Americans and other minorities... Language: en |