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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HOPE AND HEALTH EQUITY FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
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HON. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT
of new york
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 11, 2020
Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, nearly six months have passed since the
novel corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a public health
emergency in the United States. At this moment in time, we have seen
over 192,000 deaths nationwide due to COVID-19, with a disproportionate
share of those impacted being Black and African American and Hispanic
and Latino Americans.
The disparity in the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths is
stunning. The rate of COVID-19 cases in Black and African American or
Hispanic and Latino Americans are 2.6 times and 2.8 times,
respectively, greater than white Americans. Black and African American
patients are dying at 2.4 times the rate of white Americans. Hispanic
or Latino Americans are hospitalized at 4.6 times the rate of white
Americans. We can quantify this disparity by the incidence and
prevalence of this disease by race and ethnicity, but we have a
responsibility to understand how these disparities are rooted and
linked to social determinants of health already present in minority and
underserved communities that compound the disproportionate impact of
COVID-19.
In New York's 13th Congressional District, we have seen the
disproportionate impact of this disease in all parts of our community
from Harlem to Washington Heights to Inwood and into the Bronx. In our
community we have dedicated health care providers--extraordinary
professionals of all backgrounds, experience, and expertise--who have
gone to extraordinary lengths to care for COVID-19 patients. Among
these health care heroes are groups like SOMOS Community Care and the
Visiting Nurse Service of New York who have demonstrated incredible
agility in caring for their patients who are most vulnerable and in
need.
They understand how patient care and interventions need can best be
tailored to meet the challenge of COVID-19 or otherwise in the
hospital, clinic, and home settings. This is a tremendous benefit for
the patient and their family members, and I am grateful for the work
they continue to provide especially in providing palliative and hospice
care. These are fields of care that we may not often think about until
the moment that we or a loved one need this care the most. But these
are important tools that we must utilize in order to address social
determinants of health as we move towards better outcomes and quality
of life for patients.
In these past six months, we have learned a great deal about this
COVID-19 disease and best practices to care for vulnerable populations
in underserved communities. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York
PROJECT HOPE Physicians and Health Leaders' Summit is a great
opportunity to share what we have seen and learned through this
pandemic and apply the best practices towards immediate and future
health care planning and delivery. As this group of health care
professionals convenes, I join in their Day of HOPE and Equity for
Communities of Color in New York and reject the premise that one's zip
code defines their life span and health.
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