ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health

The coronavirus is hitting African Americans harder and faster than the average

COVID-19 is not an equalizer. It is disproportionately affecting at-risk people.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
April 6, 2020
in Diseases, Health, Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Image credits: Philip Capper.

The idea that the virus affects us all is true — to an extent. We’ve seen since February that the elderly and immunocompromised are at a much higher risk from the virus. We’re seeing results showing that people suffering from diabetes or cardiovascular problems are also at an increased risk, as are smokers and people living in areas with high pollution are also at a higher risk.

In the US, many of those risk tick boxes are checked by African Americans, and preliminary data seems to suggest that the disease is already disproportionately affecting this group.

In Milwaukee, the disease first started spreading in an affluent, mostly white suburb. Within a week after the first case was announced, the number of confirmed cases surged to 40 and has only accelerated since. But the profile of the average patient has changed, and it now seems to spread disproportionately through black communities. This trend seems to be happening in many parts of the country.

In Philadelphia, the initial patients were almost all white — now, they are primarily African Americans. In Michigan, the exact same situation was reported. It seems that everywhere you look in the US, COVID-19 is spreading at an accelerated rate through the black communities.

It’s hard to say just what the long-term patterns of disease spread will be, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from this disease is that by the time we know something with certainty, the disease has already hit hard.

To make matters even worse, this is not only a health issue — it’s economic, too.

Within African American communities, a larger part of the population simply can’t afford social isolation. The economic gap that black communities suffer in the US is well known, and the coronavirus outbreak will likely only work to accentuate that gap. In some parts of the country, simply being black means your life expectancy is about a decade shorter than of someone white, although that gap has somewhat diminished recently.

RelatedPosts

If we don’t want another pandemic, we should do our best to leave bats alone
The UK is realizing its initial coronavirus plan might be a disaster
Coronavirus in Nigeria — live updates, cases, and news
Germany recruits migrant medics to battle coronavirus

The coronavirus doesn’t discriminate, but our social and economic system does. For instance, one recent analysis found that in several states, doctors are less likely to refer African Americans for testing when they show up with COVID-19 symptoms.

Add all that to the fact that pre-existing health conditions can worsen coronavirus infections — and many of these conditions are prevalent in African American communities — and you get a health ticking timebomb.

Most African Americans also live in the south of the country, and the south (with poorer access to healthcare, more underlying health issues, and lower trust in government) is a fertile ground for coronavirus, and there will be little time to prepare.

New York is the outbreak epicenter, but we are seeing the numbers rise rapidly in other places. It’s only a matter of time before more and more cities and states are faced with their own crisis. Knowing who is most at risk can be crucial.

Tags: African AmericanscoronavirusCOVID-19

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Diseases

That 2022 Hepatitis Outbreak in Kids? It Was Apparently COVID

byMihai Andrei
1 month ago
Genetics

Finally, mRNA vaccines against cancer are starting to become a reality

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago
Diseases

FLiRT and FLuQE, the new COVID variants making the rounds

byMihai Andrei
10 months ago
Diseases

Moderna’s flu + Covid jab produces “higher immune response” than two separate shots

byMihai Andrei
11 months ago

Recent news

This Startup Is Using Ancient DNA to Recreate Perfumes from Extinct Flowers

May 21, 2025

Jupiter Was Twice Its Size and Had a Magnetic Field 50 Times Stronger After the Solar System Formed

May 21, 2025

How One Man and a Legendary Canoe Rescued the Dying Art of Polynesian Navigation

May 21, 2025 - Updated on May 22, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.