Letter to the Editor in Response to: COVID-19: Magnifying the Effect of Health Disparities.

The recent article by Kim et al. highlighted the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic on lower income and racial minorities in the USA.[1] The authors discuss how greater co-morbidities, less access to medical care, and financial challenges markedly worsened the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in certain disadvantaged groups. Detailed racial data released by public agencies in New York further demonstrates the stark disparities of the pandemic.

The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported 19,540 confirmed or probable deaths from COVID-19 among NYC residents as of May 6, 2020. Age-adjusted (per 100,000) death rates among African Americans and Latinos were 243.6 and 237.7, respectively, in contrast to death rates among Whites and Asians that were 121.5 and 109.4, respectively.[2] Data from NYC reported by the New York State Department of Health demonstrated that Latinos comprised 34% of COVID-19 deaths but 29% of the population and African Americans comprised 28% of deaths while making up 22% of the population.[3] In contrast, Whites comprised 27% of deaths while representing 32% of the population.

To date, there remains a relative paucity of racial mortality data from individual hospitals in NYC. Two of the largest hospital systems published early clinical outcomes, but both series contained over 37% White patients which may not accurately reflect the experience of lower income, minority communities.[4, 5] To our knowledge, the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation which cares for the largest number of minorities has not publicly released race-specific mortality data.

It is noteworthy that the best available data has come directly from governmental agencies in a timely fashion through both daily press briefings and well-organized websites. We commend the political leadership in New York for this effort and are keenly aware that not all states have been as transparent. The rapid dissemination of health information has been critical in allowing the public to grasp the sheer magnitude of the crisis and objectively highlight the hardest-hit zip codes and racial groups.

As we consider ways to safely reopen, it is critical that the latest data continue to be openly disseminated to best understand the causes of racial disparities and direct recovery efforts towards communities that bear the greatest burden of disease. This will require government agencies to continue to publicize accurate pandemic statistics and individual hospitals to prioritize sharing their unique experiences.