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COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Disproportionately Low in Minority Groups Despite Higher Risks

Date: 04/21/21

April is National Minority Health Awareness Month

During National Minority Health Month in April, Buckeye Health Plan is raising awareness about COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minority communities and encouraging vaccination. Provisional data just released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show deaths related to COVID-19 are higher among American Indian and Alaskan Native persons, Hispanics/Latino Americans, Black Americans and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Americans than non-Hispanic white Americans.1

The need for vaccination is further demonstrated by recent information from the CDC naming COVID-19 as the third-underlying cause of death for approximately 375,000 Americans in 2020.2 Yet, despite these statistics, there is a consistent pattern across the country of racial and ethnic minority groups receiving smaller shares of vaccinations compared to their shares of cases and deaths and compared to their shares of the total population.3 This theme holds true in Ohio as well, where the vaccination rate among non-Hispanic white populations is more than twice as high as the rate for Hispanic/Latino American populations (28% vs. 13%), and 1.8 times as high as the rate for non-Hispanic Black populations (28% vs. 16%).2 

So why aren’t more racial and ethnic minorities getting vaccinated? Access to healthcare, including vaccination sites in racial and ethnic minority communities, and reliable internet for online scheduling; lack of flexibility in work schedules and dependable transportation;4 and mistrust rooted in structural racism5 have all been cited as contributing factors.

“While all Americans have been impacted by COVID-19, the pandemic has put the spotlight on health disparities in communities made vulnerable by systemic inequities, “said Dr. Joshua Joseph, MD, MPH, FAHA, Assistant Professor of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Buckeye Board Member.

“Buckeye is committed to improving the health of our community, one person at a time. As part of this effort, they’re dedicated to educating members on the facts about vaccination and helping them get scheduled as soon as they’re eligible,” said Dr. Gregory Lam, MD, FACC, Medical Director for Cardiovascular Services at OhioHealth Berger Hospital and Buckeye Board Member.

As part of that commitment, Buckeye encouraged members, community agency partners and providers to attend the Ohio Department of Health’s online town halls that address COVID-19 vaccine concerns and questions among specific racial/ethnic minority and rural populations. The town halls can be viewed on demand at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall

Buckeye is also actively engaging its membership through outreach efforts, including postcards, automated phone calls and text messages. Care managers are also educating members directly over the phone and helping them schedule their vaccination appointments, along with providing free transportation. Buckeye’s parent company, Centene, recently launched a series of new public service announcements (PSAs), featuring Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jackets, with a focus on encouraging communities of color to get vaccinated.

“African Americans and other minorities have much greater risks from Covid-19 compared to non-minority groups and the vaccinations will help protect minorities, their families and communities from Covid-19,” said Dr. Charles Modlin, a kidney transplant surgeon, urologist, health equity champion and Buckeye Board Member. “Buckeye is encouraging the communities we serve to protect themselves through the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Community members impacted by COVID-19 can access online community resources through Buckeye Community Connect at buckeyehealthplan.com/community-connect.html.

Sources:

  1. NPR. CDC: COVID-19 Was 3rd-Leading Cause Of Death In 2020, People Of Color Hit Hardest. March 31, 2021.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provisional Mortality Data — United States, 2020. March 31, 2021.
  3. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Latest Data on COVID-19 Vaccinations Race/Ethnicity. March 31, 2020.
  4. Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America. Racial Health Disparities Continuing into COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout.
    March  2021.
  5. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Black Americans Are Getting Vaccinated at Lower Rates Than White Americans. January 2021.