"In many ways, we are born into our health" Dr. Fola May ⠀
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According to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, "Our health is also determined in part by access to social and economic opportunities; the resources and supports available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities; the quality of our schooling; the safety of our workplaces; the cleanliness of our water, food, and air; and the nature of our social interactions and relationships. The conditions in which we live explain in part why some Americans are healthier than others and why Americans more generally are not as healthy as they could be."⠀
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The disparity between white and black health in America, and the systemic racism that undergirds these health outcomes, has been thrown into sharp relief with the COVID-19 pandemic. Black Americans are more likely to die from COVID-19 than any other group in America and make up a disproportionate number of essential workers who have stayed on the job through lockdowns putting them at higher risk of contracting the disease. When they do fall ill, they are more likely to receive worse care than white Americans do. ⠀
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This is why we feel it's crucial right now, as cases spike in cities across America, to continue to support charities on the frontline of COVID-19 relief. We'll share more with you on this effort and how you can get involved. ⠀
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Head to our stories for further reading on the impact of racism on health and ways to combat this public health crisis 👆
