The Coronavirus Unsung Heroes: Health Disparities and Public Health’s Approach

Yashika J. Watkins, PhD, MPH; Thomas Britt, MD, MPH; Terry Mason, MD; Gina Curry, MPH

Background

Coronavirus (CoViD-19) is yet another example of a condition that further exacerbates health disparities among African Americans (AA) in urban and rural communities. In particular, it is particularly important to the health of Coronavirus unsung heroes (i.e., front line healthcare and service [e.g., grocery stores, food delivery workers, Amazon workers, public transportation, etc.]) workers.  The impact of Coronavirus on service workers and their health is often neglected in the discussion of infection however, the adverse sequelae is surfacing, especially in AAs with several major metropolitan areas reporting, glaring disparate death rates as high as 70%. There contribution to our society is critical in keeping our economy open.  AAs tend to work in service industry sectors where working from home in not an option and social distancing in the workplace can be difficult. Thus, they are at increased risk of CoViD-19 infection. How can the public health system approach this risk to reduce increased morbidity and mortality among African Americans? What can public health learn from these unsung heroes and their work environments to develop a targeted approach? How will the lessons learned from Coronavirus impact a larger and reformed pandemic plan for African Americans experiencing health disparities?

Methodology 

Using cross sectional methodology, we will collect and evaluate currently available data to understand service workers’ workplace conditions, dynamics, and resources to develop a targeted public health approach to reduce CoViD-19 infection, morbidity and mortality.  

Results 

We anticipate that workplace conditions for service workers put them at increased risk of Coronavirus infection. These conditions, include but are not limited to, lack of gloves and masks for protection and lack of shields, where cash registers are present, between customers and staff. These conditions put service workers at increased risk for infection. In terms of health disparities, African American service workers will most likely present sicker due to co-morbidities and or epigenetics. 

Conclusion 

We hope this study reveals the alarming need for public health approaches targeted to service workers and in particular, African Americans service workers, to reduce Coronavirus’ disproportionate incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality.

Learning Objectives

To describe potential public health approaches to address the increased morbidity and mortality rates from Coronavirus among Africa American service workers.