COVID-19 making things worse for Latinx community

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, AMA looks into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx community.

Hispanic/Latinx inequities during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the Latinx community across the United States. The AMA's Center for Health Equity's just released report, "Latinx COVID-19 Health Inequities: Insights from Key Stakeholders," analyzes the reasons behind these inequities.

Key report findings

The report shows the disproportionate toll of the pandemic on the community, and what needs to be done to better understand the communication needs and opportunities to support physicians and health care organizations working with the Latinx communities impacted by COVID-19.

“Another thing we've been hearing and seeing in clients in the hospital, a lot of materially poor or working-class families who are now unemployed. Whatever little bit of resources they're already hanging on by a thread and now they're unemployed..."
—Report participant

Hispanic/Latinx community disproportionately affected

The report found that the Latinx fatality rate suggests deaths occur at a rate disproportionate to their share of the U.S. population.

—As of June 2020, Latinx cases were disproportionately represented in 42 of the 50 states.

—While the Latinx community accounts for 18% of the U.S. population, they now make up 33% of COVID-19 cases

—Latinx communities are over represented in 3 of the 31 states reporting fatalities along with Latinx demographic data.

Get the report

—Latinx COVID-19 Health Inequities: Insights from Key Stakeholders

Upward trend in COVID-19 cases in Hispanic/Latinx community

Read about some inspiring physicians and how they advocate for their patients and the medical profession.

Education from trusted sources

Find educational modules to further your understanding on the policies, health inequities and biases impacting the Hispanic/Latinx communities.

Educational modules: Health inequities

—SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate for Latinos in the Baltimore–Washington, DC region

—Hearing aid prevalence and factors related to use among older Hispanic/Latino adults

—Failing another national stress test on health disparities

Educational Modules: Health Policy & Ethics

—Policy solutions for reversing the color-blind public health response to COVID-19 in the US

—How should unaccompanied minors in immigration detention be protected from coercive medical practices?

—Should immigration status information be included in a patient's health record?

Educational modules: Diversity & inclusion

—Minority resident physicians’ views on the role of race/ethnicity in their training experiences in the workplace

—Recognizing and reacting to microaggressions in medicine and surgery

—Effects of gender bias and stereotypes in surgical training

Hear from Latino/a/x physicians on the ways COVID-19 has impacted Latino/a/x communities, the pandemics impact on immigrant communities, testing, trends and equity.