COVID-19 Health Disparities, Respiratory Illness, and Communities of Color
COVID-19 Health Disparities, Respiratory Illness, and Communities of Color
February 4, 2021 | Best Practice
1. Improve representation in clinical trials and precision treatments
There is a need for more data that is inclusive and representative of the populations that are at a higher risk for respiratory diseases as well as COVID-19.
2. Utilize community partnerships to reduce social determinants of health
By partnering with local organizations health messaging has the potential to be more effective. Specific to respiratory diseases such as asthma, smoking is a risk factor that is more prevalent in communities of color, so improving public health messaging to target these risk factors improves overall health.
3. Recognize that these inequities begin on a structural level
Beginning as early as childhood, the effects of social determinants of health can be seen - communities of color have higher rates of asthma, which then leads to lower quality of life and overall worse health.
4. Push for policy change that supports communities of color
Things like investing in education in disadvantaged communities, expansion of Medicaid coverage, and environmental policies aimed at improving air quality can all help reduce some of the gaps seen in respiratory disease.
To learn more health equity best practices, attend an upcoming CHI educational event
Joseph Gaspero is the CEO and Co-Founder of CHI. He is a healthcare executive, strategist, and researcher. He co-founded CHI in 2009 to be an independent, objective, and interdisciplinary research and education institute for healthcare. Joseph leads CHI’s research and education initiatives focusing on including patient-driven healthcare, patient engagement, clinical trials, drug pricing, and other pressing healthcare issues. He sets and executes CHI’s strategy, devises marketing tactics, leads fundraising efforts, and manages CHI’s Management team. Joseph is passionate and committed to making healthcare and our world a better place. His leadership stems from a wide array of experiences, including founding and operating several non-profit and for-profit organizations, serving in the U.S. Air Force in support of 2 foreign wars, and deriving expertise from time spent in industries such as healthcare, financial services, and marketing. Joseph’s skills include strategy, management, entrepreneurship, healthcare, clinical trials, diversity & inclusion, life sciences, research, marketing, and finance. He has lived in six countries, traveled to over 30 more, and speaks 3 languages, all which help him view business strategy through the prism of a global, interconnected 21st century. Joseph has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. When he’s not immersed in his work at CHI, he spends his time snowboarding backcountry, skydiving, mountain biking, volunteering, engaging in MMA, and rock climbing.