Online Viewpoint Article by NIMHD (National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities) Leaders Published in JAMA: COVID-19 and Racial/Ethnic Disparities.
With LARKIN UNIVERSITY being one of the most diverse universities in the US and South Florida being one of the most culturally diverse areas in our great nation, the fact that racial and ethnic minorities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 is of great concern. In an online editorial published in JAMAViewpoint, Monica Webb Hooper, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities NIMHD, Anna María Nápoles, Ph.D., M.P.H, Scientific Director of NIMHD and Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, M.D., Director of NIMHD, discuss the underlying causes for the disparities. They emphasize prevention and healthcare strategies that are culturally appropriate, community competent and considerate of the needs of the disproportionately affected populations. In In their discussion they point out that “rigorous data collection on race and ethnicity, and research to understand the influence of current policies and short and long-term consequences of COVID-19 on minority health, are critical.” Four research groups from both of our colleges participate in several research proposals/projects and aim to contribute to our understanding of COVID-19.
