Multinational friends, based in the USA, learning there are racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes, wondering why this is so, and why statistics are reported in seemingly contradictory ways.

My friend shared links to two articles on the alarming discovery of racial disparities in health outcomes, but one headlines reported the raw statistic, and the other referenced the data adjusted for other demographic factors (socio-economic levels, proximity to nature or industry, co-morbidities, etc). Statistics can offer incredibly valuable insight, but we need to dig into definitions, or we’re left in utter confusion at two headlines.

The Corona-era reveals or uncovers a lot — about humanity, about our society. Much of it is beautiful (shared music on balconies, generous donations, etc), and unfortunately, some of it is not. A friend posted two article links in a friends’ WhatsApp chat. We’re international folks – 15 people, from 11 nations across 5 continents, living in the NYC area. Not having grown up in the USA or UK, we aren’t always versed in the intricacies of those nations’ cultural fabric — history, traditions, biases, values, etc. and how they play out. We are familiar with multiple ways of thinking, diverse national or regional realities, the power of different narratives, and the positive or negative effects of policies and cultural priorities.

He posted these two links: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52568948 and https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/uk/uk-coronavirus-ethnicity-deaths-ons-scli-gbr-intl/index.html with confusing headlines — one reports the absolute morbidity rate (4x) , and the other reports the relative morbidity rate, after taking into account urban vs spacious (suburban or rural) dwelling, age, self-reported health issues, etc. (2x). Either way, i) the headlines are confusing side by side, and ii) the situation doesn’t or shouldn’t make sense.

Both articles poorly lay out the stats, and both include the 2x and 4x numbers. The way I read it, is that the study found that black& brown folks had Covid morbidity 4x that of whites. Once you take into account age, urban vs spacious dwelling, demographic factors, and measures of self- reported health problems, the morbidity rate for non- whites is still twice that of whites, in similar circumstances or demographic profiles. Either way, this covid scare has really laid bare some of the inequalities in our system (driven by systemic, often unconscious -isms).

After a little research, I shared my thoughts on the statistics, and a few of the details driving those statistics, in our WhatsApp chat.

******** Yes, black and brown folks are dying more because of societal “overlays”=>

  • they are more likely to be in service jobs and (repeatedly) exposed to the virus;
  • a higher percentage of minorities live in urban (high density) areas, than in suburban or rural settings, thus in higher exposure areas.
  • they are more likely to be poor, and have underlying health issues related to poverty & poor nutrition, like weakened immune system, obesity, and resulting type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. There are many in the middle and upper classes who have these maladies as well, across races, because of genetic predisposition and/or poor nutrition. But health is also tied to stress and access to resources including fresh fruits/ vegetables; the poor often live in a “food desert” — no affordable, nearby grocery stores, and what’s affordable isn’t healthful (McDonald’s, chips at the bodega).

And there is so much that can be discussed about racial and social justice, equity, and how it plays out in healthcare, in career advancement, and other areas. We are not the policy makers, but we are all learning a lot about unexpected things, and asking more questions of ourselves and of our elected leaders.