Study: Latinos bear disproportionate impact of COVID-19

A national study of COVID-19 cases and deaths among Latinos released this week found that there are several factors leading to Latinos being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic (Source: “Coronavirus pandemic tearing through Latino communities – and it may get worse,” USA Today, July 24).

The first nationwide analysis of COVID-19 cases and deaths among Latinos concludes that crowded housing arrangements and high-risk jobs in industries like meatpacking, poultry and hospitality are among the major reasons for the disproportionate impact of COVID-19.

A New York Times analysis based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – released after a lawsuit was filed – shows 73 of every 10,000 Latinos contracted the virus, compared to 62 Blacks and 23 whites.

One of the study’s most surprising findings was the Midwest, where only 4% of the counties are predominantly Latino, was the one region where their coronavirus-related deaths were higher than their representation.

“We found access to health care was harder in the Midwest, so it’s very likely people only accessed care when they felt really bad, and as the disease progresses it gets more difficult to manage,’’ said Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz, the study's lead author. “There’s also the fact they need to continue working.’’