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COVID-19 exposes deeply rooted health inequities. Let’s ensure our response corrects them by centering on the voices & experiences of people from communities most impacted. THREAD 1/n https://twitter.com/JRuralHealth/status/1260261963361214465
Serious challenges to accessing health care in rural areas are well documented. And, long before this crisis, health disparities within rural showed black & Indigenous communities facing higher rates of mortality. 2/n https://www.sph.umn.edu/news/in-u-s-premature-death-rates-highest-in-rural-counties-with-majority-black-or-indigenous-populations/
These longstanding inequities created by historical and structural racism are even more evident during the COVID-19 crisis, as noted by @doccrearperry & others. And, we can change how we respond going forward. 3/n https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/to-protect-black-americans-from-the-worst-impacts-of-covid-19-release-comprehensive-racial-data/
That begins with research and narrative focused on the health and economic experiences of people of color and Indigenous people in rural America in the wake of COVID-19. 4/n cc @ruralhealth
It also means ensuring COVID data related to race & geography are reported separately and that data tracked by states & municipalities are made available to communities hardest hit, including Native people. 5/n https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/24/us-native-americans-left-out-coronavirus-data
And it means, prioritizing resources for people & places in rural America with the fewest resources and the poorest health outcomes. 6/n
Let’s ensure our response focuses on the people most impacted by COVID & that we choose to correct & re-imagine access to health care, broadband, & economic opportunity for our rural communities. 7/n
Many thanks to my awesome coauthors @carrie_h_s & @story_tuttle and to @JruralHealth for highlighting these existing inequities & the opportunity for change moving forward. END 8/n https://twitter.com/JRuralHealth/status/1260261963361214465
