Though COVID-19 is typically less severe for kids under the age of 21 than it is for older age groups, the recent CDC data suggests that among the children who have died of COVID, 78% were Black, Hispanic, or Native American. These findings reflect the broader disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. healthcare system. “While Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native youth under 21 years of age make up only 41% of the U.S. population, they comprised over 75% of all pediatric COVID-19 deaths,” says Elisa Song MD, a holistic pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and founder of Whole Family Wellness in Belmont, California.
Study Findings
Of the 121 juvenile COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. through the end of July 2020, roughly 45% were Hispanic, 29% were Black, and 4% were Native American. These figures are staggering, particularly when considered as a total, and signify a great cause for concern. “The racial disparities that the pandemic has brought to light on so many fronts for our children are unacceptable and tragic, and unfortunately, potentially deadly,” says Dr. Song.
A Multi-Faceted Issue
According to the CDC report, “Disparities in social determinants of health, such as crowded living conditions, food and housing insecurity, wealth and educational gaps, and racial discrimination, likely contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 and MIS-C incidence and outcomes.”
Poor Access to Health Care
Not everyone enjoys regular, affordable access to medical care in the U.S., and poor access to health care is one of the biggest issues faced by minority groups. This can lead to life-long problems like shorter life spans, higher rates of diabetes, and other chronic health issues. In addition, it can lead to lower rates of beneficial childhood vaccinations. Lack of access to health care is also instrumental in the COVID-19 pandemic as well, where more than one-third of Black, Hispanic, and Native American deaths in people under the age of 21 occurred outside of a hospital setting, according to the report. “It’s possible that this was due to lack of access to health care, health insurance, and avoidance of going to the hospital during the pandemic,” says Jennifer Haythe, MD, co-director of the Women’s Heart Center and director of the cardiac-obstetric program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Another factor that played heavily into the disproportionate number of minorities represented among all juvenile fatalities from COVID is the fact that more than 75% of them had an underlying medical condition. The most common were asthma and obesity. For years, Black and Hispanic children have experienced higher rates of obesity than their white counterparts. And according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Being overweight can create dramatic health consequences for young people, such as increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as a myriad of other problems such as stress, sadness, and low self-esteem.” This creates a dangerous situation when it comes to the COVID pandemic. Haythe says, “Children living in poverty and in low socioeconomic conditions are disproportionately affected by obesity, asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, all of which may contribute to more severe outcomes of COVID-19 illness.” The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
