A longitudinal study published in Frontiers in Public Health reveals that Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) who have contracted Covid-19 in America experience greater long-term burdens compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts. The study, part of the ongoing INSPIRE study involving eight major academic medical centers, examined the post-Covid-19 health status, activity level, and missed work of BIPOC patients.
While initial symptoms of the infection were similar between white and BIPOC patients, the study found that BIPOC patients encountered more significant negative consequences in the long run. Hispanics reported more poor health, which the researchers attributed to difficulties accessing healthcare, potentially hampering their recovery. The study, which involved 2,402 adults with Covid-19 and 759 negative controls, relied on self-reported differences in symptoms and health-related impacts three and six months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection.
At three months, Hispanic participants were more likely than non-Hispanic participants to report fair or poor health. However, by the six-month mark, there were no significant differences in health outcomes among Hispanics. Similarly, Asian participants reported fair/poor health at the same rate as white participants at three months, but by six months, Asians were more likely to report poor health.
The study also discovered that Black participants experienced more missed work compared to their white counterparts. While reports of more than five missed workdays were similar across all racial groups at three months, the number significantly increased among Black participants by the six-month mark. In fact, Black respondents who had contracted Covid-19 six months prior were almost three times more likely to report missed work compared to White respondents. The authors propose that this disparity may be due to the overrepresentation of minority populations in physically demanding frontline industries, where working from home is not feasible.
Recognizing the importance of understanding the drivers behind ethnic and racial disparities in health impacts, the study’s authors emphasize the need to address these issues to advance health equity post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. By shedding light on the long-term consequences faced by BIPOC individuals, this study contributes to the ongoing efforts to identify and rectify healthcare inequities in the United States.
In conclusion, this longitudinal study illuminates the greater long-term burdens experienced by BIPOC Covid-19 patients in America. By examining post-Covid-19 health statuses, activity levels, and missed work, researchers discovered significant disparities between white and BIPOC patients. The findings underscore the importance of addressing and rectifying healthcare inequities for the betterment of all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity.
