Report: Entrenched Health Disparities To Blame for African-American COVID Death Rates

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

Report: Entrenched Health Disparities To Blame for African-American COVID Death Rates

Jun 4, 2020, 09:47 AM by MSDC Staff

A Georgetown study highlights how societal and health inequities severely disadvantage African-Americans in the District

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A new report by Georgetown University released this week makes clear that existing health disparities are a major cause of the high death rate of African-Americans from COVID-19.

The report, entitled "Health Disparities in the Black Community: An Imperative for Racial Equity in the District of Columbia", was published by the university's School of Nursing & Health Studies. Christopher King, PhD, FACHE, chair of the Department of Health Systems Administration, was the report's lead author.

“Black residents in our city face a disproportionate burden of disease, such as cancer, diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, and obesity,” King said. “These health disparities result from long-standing injustices and makes the African American community much more vulnerable to a highly infectious virus like COVID-19.”

Some of the study's findings include:

There is a 15-year difference in the life expectancy between residents in Ward 3 and Ward 8
Residents from wards with more African-American residents are more likely to be hospitalized for preventable health conditions
African-Americans are three times more likely to be obese than white residents
The rate of diabetes is seven times higher in the African-American population than whites
The medium household income for African-Americans ($43,546) is three times less than whites ($135,363)

For more information about health equity in medicine in the District, MSDC offers the following resources:

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.