The coronavirus pandemic has exposed and intensified systematic racism in many of our institutions. In August the National Urban League reported that Black Americans are infected with COVID-19 at nearly three times the rate of white Americans. Research suggests that Black Americans, and other communities of color, appear to be at greater risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 due to a history of racism that creates differences in health and access to care and other resources needed for good health.
Further, a Harvard University study called this a “triple pandemic” for households of color, including African Americans, who are also disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, which according to the data are more likely to lose income and experience difficulty making rent or mortgage payments. Join Kris Kington Barker as speaks with guests Isaac Garrett, vice president of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara (MLKSB); Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore, DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, adult health nurse practitioner; and Kemba Lawrence, community services director with the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, as they discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Black community of Santa Barbara County. The conversation will include a look at both public and mental health, as well as housing.
Broadcast date: 9/24/20
Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX and made possible through underwriting by Joan Gellert-Sargen.