COVID-19 and Dimensions of Health Inequity

Introduction

It is said that coronavirus doesn’t discriminate – across race, income, or geography. Yet, as the pandemic progresses, it has further exposed and aggravated many of the pre-existing inequities that exist in our society. In the U.S., racism is an underlying condition for COVID-19 infections and deaths, and profoundly impacts the social determinants of health – e.g., employment, housing, incarceration, income, and education, among others – by disproportionately burdening systemically disadvantaged communities including communities of color.

We are living in a moment when people increasingly recognize the value of public health. There is a growing awareness that equitable social policies – like paid sick leave, affordable and stable housing, fair economic policies, access to educational resources, and universal health care – strengthen the health of everyone. How can we use this moment to spotlight pervasive inequities, offer solutions, and envision a better way forward?

HRiA is committed to dismantling racism and advancing healthy equity through our conversations, our work, and our partnerships with communities. On this page, we offer curated evidence and resources to evaluate the crisis through a health and racial equity lens. We also highlight exemplary leadership addressing these inequities and invite you to take action. Each day, there are new data and stories of how COVID-19 is revealing societal inequities, so we hope this is the start, and for many, the continuation of much needed collective conversations and action – as we work together to protect the public’s health and advance equity.

How HRiA Can Help You

View our COVID-19 services and resources

Apply for a MA COVID-19 Community Grant

Contact us