by Anita Osuri
A nurse advocates for protection of nurses, patients, and public health after prominent health and racial disparities emerge in local communities. Reprinted from National Nurses United at https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-call-more-data-action-address-racial-disparities-during-covid-19-crisis
When we turn on the news, we are bombarded with reports of coronavirus cases, politicians arguing over the ideal course of action, and health professionals giving advice. As a young adult, we can often feel helpless or insignificant in the prominent efforts against the virus. Seeing the devastation of the pandemic provoked me to consider a teenager’s role in resolving these disparities.
An Overview and Personal Stories
In my quest to learn more about these health, financial, and racial gaps, I spoke with University of Florida student Emily Jones, who is majoring in microbiology and has a minor in health disparities; she is also an immigrant.
She emphasized the difficulties of illegal immigrants during COVID-19 and how the organization that she works for, Contra COVID, is trying to bridge the gap.
The story that struck me the most was about an undocumented woman who was in a deep financial problem, on the brink of eviction, and still supporting her family in South America.
Emily described the situation by stating, “She lost her job, and because she was undocumented there were not many jobs out there for her. Because of that, she was struggling with rent. Thankfully due to the organization Cosecha and Contra COVID, we were able to connect her with healthcare systems and information for COVID, as well as give her assistance to help her financially.”
According to the CDC, many low-income workers are vulnerable to layoffs, especially in Hispanic or African-American communities due to living, health, or work conditions.
This conversation made me consider the role of nonprofits in filling the gaps of our social system. The touching story highlights the struggles that numerous people endure in our country, and it emphasizes the importance of being open-minded.
As we bonded over our passion for health disparities, Ms. Jones mentioned her personal story. In her words: “I saw the struggles my mother went through only speaking Spanish. We had one car growing up, so we would usually take a bus an hour away to our destination. Our insurance was just government insurance. There are definitely not enough healthcare providers for low income people. I would skip school to help my mom translate during her doctor’s appointments.”
This is reminiscent of the CDC’s report that a significant number of ethnic people live exceptionally far from medical facilities, which increases the risk of the virus being left untreated [2].
As we are both interested in healthcare, she talked more about the importance of healthcare providers for low-income people, and immigrants in particular.
She emphasized that, “Seeing [my mother] struggle was painful, and she was not the only one. It would break my heart because I had the privilege to learn English and speak for myself, and defend myself. To see them not be able to communicate their pains and needs to their doctors is just heartbreaking.”
This experience is a grim reality for many people in ethnic communities, and it made me reflect on my sheltered, privileged upbringing. It is often uncomfortable for us to bring up the crude disparities that people face, and giving a voice to these experiences makes it all the more real.
As the future leaders of tomorrow, will we stand idly, or will we create action?
What can teenagers do about these disparities?
A crucial step forward is to research these issues.
As Ms. Jones stated, “Try to understand the health disparities that they are suffering. It is not only with minorities, but also being undocumented, which can affect people of all races. Disabilities is another health disparity, as well as mental health. Even being a female can create health disparities.”
Do not judge before seeing all sides of the problems, and be sure to utilize reliable websites such as the CDC and other scientific journals. Once you have educated yourself on these topics, voice your opinions! Discuss these problems with your peers and brainstorm possible solutions. Through collaboration, we can formulate plans for the future.
Think about grassroot initiatives such as helping your neighbor, your religious institution, specific ethnic groups, or particular communities to influence one family at a time. If you are interested in these topics, make sure to attend university conferences to hear other peoples’ opinions and voice your own. Or if you want to view these issues firsthand, volunteer for organizations that work to tackle these issues, such as the NAACP or Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Although COVID-19 has changed our world forever, it has given us, as teenagers, a unique opportunity to open our eyes to the truth. We are all human, and we deserve basic rights that are sometimes barred for others due to languages, finances, race, etc. Personally, researching this issue has given me a fresh view about the world and the progress that still needs to be made in improving the world. This is only the beginning, and together we can bridge the gap to create a better quality of life for all people.
*Name of the University of Florida student changed to retain anonymity.
Sources
1. Nurses Call for More Data, Action to Address Racial Disparities During COVID-19 Crisis. National Nurses United. (2020, April 8). https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-call-more-data-action-address-racial-disparities-during-covid-19-crisis.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html.