COVID-19’s Disproportionate Impact on Communities of Color


April 16, 2020
In New York and across the nation, early data is showing that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate and deadly impact on communities of color. The pandemic is highlighting the ongoing health disparities that communities of color face. Communities of color experience serious structural barriers to accessing quality, affordable health care, including discrimination and higher rates of poverty. These factors contribute to higher rates of chronic health conditions like HIV, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which place people at higher risk for COVID-19.
 
“COVID-19 is amplifying the devastating impact of health disparities facing communities of color in our nation. It’s unacceptable for some Americans to be more likely to get sick and die from the coronavirus than others because they can’t get the care they need—care that should be readily available to everyone,” said Doug Wirth, President and CEO of Amida Care. 
This crisis reaffirms the urgent need to create a better, more equitable health care system. We must continue to combat attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, which provide health care coverage for millions of Americans. COVID-19 testing should be prioritized in neighborhoods with high African American and Latinx populations. Greater transparency is needed around racial disparities in medical staff in addition to the lack of critical supplies and equipment in hospitals primarily serving people of color. The New York State AIDS Institute has compiled an extensive list of health equity resources, which can be found here .

Amida Care’s model of care focuses on the needs of the whole person and works to address non-medical needs that impact health, such as housing, nutritious food, and transportation. During this public health emergency, we are continuing to work in partnership with our members and providers to ensure that our members’ needs are being met.
 
  •  Amida Care’s Member Call Center is fully operational and available to assist our members: 1-800-556-0689. We have also been regularly texting up-to-date guidance and health information about COVID-19 to our members.
  • Providers in the Amida Care network who require assistance can call our Provider Services Department 1-800-556-0674.
  • We have also established a way to connect with a dedicated Amida Care medical support group available to address COVID-19 related issues for our members and providers, including medication reconciliation, psychosocial support, and treatment adherence, by emailing COVID19Support@amidacareny.org.
 
Thank you for continuing to stand with us to advocate for care access, social justice, and health equity for all.
Sincerely,
Doug Wirth 
President and CEO