A landmark 2020 study reveals Black Americans are 2.4 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than white Americans. Latinos and Asians fare better, underscoring deep-seated U.S. health inequities.
Published by the APM Research Lab on May 20, 2020, under the title "The Color of Coronavirus," this analysis highlights profound racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. Black Americans face a 2.4 times higher risk of death from the virus compared to whites.
The COVID-19 death rate among Black Americans stands at 50.3 per 100,000, compared to 20.7 for whites, 22.7 for Asians, and 22.9 for Latinos. Over 20,000 Black lives have been lost, equating to a death ratio of 1 in 2,000 within the Black population.
These disparities vary by state. In Kansas, Black death rates are seven times higher than whites; in Wisconsin, they are six times higher.
The Trump administration attributed higher risks partly to comorbidities like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension—described as "higher risk profiles" among Black Americans. While these factors contribute, inequities in healthcare access play a central role, alongside greater exposure to the virus.
Black Americans are half as likely to have health insurance as whites. Medical deserts exacerbate the issue, with care often scarce and costly. Moreover, only 20% of Black workers can work from home, versus 30% of white workers.
Addressing decades of entrenched inequities remains challenging. While federal action has been limited, states like New York and Michigan are exploring targeted measures to reduce these gaps.
