- Piedmont Rising
NEW REPORT: Pandemic Brings Racial Health Disparities Among Hispanic/Latinx Community into Focus
Updated: Jul 16, 2020
NEW REPORT: Pandemic Brings Racial Health Care Disparities Among NC’s Hispanic/Latinx Community into Focus
Analysis reveals ongoing inequities in health coverage and access for minorities
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Piedmont Rising released a new report detailing alarming racial inequities in North Carolina’s healthcare system – particularly among the state's Hispanic/Latino population.
The report finds that, for many Latinos in North Carolina, the economic fallout from the pandemic is just as concerning as the health risks, leaving many with little choice but to risk their lives while working on the frontlines.
“These numbers are staggering, sobering, and sadly unsurprising. They reflect long-standing inequities in our health care system. Any attempt to respond to the current health crisis must address these health disparities,” said Piedmont Rising Executive Director, Casey Wilkinson. “As the number of coronavirus cases in North Carolina continues to grow, we need lawmakers, like Senators Tillis and Burr, to make serious investments to address the underlying inequities that permeate our health care system, our economy, and our society.”
Key Points:
Data shows that there are many factors, such as language barriers, immigration status, health insurance ineligibility, lack of access to high-speed broadband, and widespread misinformation, preventing Latinx people from accessing health care and, as a result, coronavirus testing.
For many Latinx people in North Carolina, the economic fallout from the pandemic is just as concerning as the health risks, leaving many with little choice but to risk their lives while working on the frontlines.
Thousands of residents in North Carolina, many of which are undocumented immigrants, who pay federal taxes, did not receive any relief money from the CARES Act. These are many of the individuals who are working “essential” jobs throughout the pandemic, the vast majority of whom do not have health insurance.
The stimulus bill doesn’t go far enough to protect our frontline workers for the risks they take to care for us during this pandemic. Oversight and additional support are needed to ensure workers and small businesses get the resources they need, not just the large corporations at the top.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Coscia
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