Some of our most vulnerable communities are struggling for parity as the coronavirus pandemic progresses. Disparities applying to testing, infection rates, hospitalizations, and mortality have been apparent depending on variables like race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and location. President Biden has announced the creation of a task force to address health and social inequities related to COVID-19 and to recommend a substantive course correction.
The COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force is expected to issue recommendations that will ensure equitable allocation of resources and relief funds, deliver effective outreach to underserved and minority populations, and improve cultural proficiency within the federal government. In addition, the task force will recommend efforts to improve data collection and use, and devise a long-term plan to address data shortfalls related to communities of color and other underserved populations. The task force will also address how to prevent such inequities in the future.