Page 19 - Florida Sentinel 5-29-20

Coronavirus Equity
Coronavirus And Health Equity - Again This (Too) Is Predictable
Part II
The New Orleans SARS- CoV-2 outbreak has particular significance, given the city’s demographics and demonstra- ble social activities. Epidemi- ology experts at both Tulane University and Louisiana State University have stated that re- cent Mardi Gras activities, which concluded February 25, likely contributed to the ram- pant virus spread in Louisiana. The more concerning compo- nent of the spread is the well- established cardiovascular disease status of the state, and in particular in New Orleans. The southern corridor of car- diovascular disease is espe- cially concerning given the associated morbidity and mor- tality associated with patients affected by SARS-CoV-2.
While I’m not suggesting
that existent cardiovascular disease is the cause of the COVID spread, it does provide a window into the greatest probable mortalities that may be associated with a SARS- CoV-2 outbreak in these over- lapping areas.
The question of placement of needed medical resources to combat the expected peaks of SARS-CoV-2 cases requiring hospitalization have been oc- curring for weeks. There is the growing question of the health equity (and in some cases in- equity) of supplied medical re- sources in those areas with a high prevalence of racial and ethnic citizens, and those on the lower socioeconomic strata.
Public health officials
BY KEVIN B. SNEED PharmD, FNAP, FNPHA, Sr. Associate Vice-President, USF Health Dean and Professor, USF Health Taneja, College Of Pharmacy
across the country have likely been the best equipped indi- viduals to guide the discussion
of where and when medical re- sources should be dispatched. The negative economic impact caused by the spread of the virus has been devastating not only to the country as a whole, but those communities and in- dividuals that depend on serv- ice-focused employment to drive the economic engine of the United States.
I have every confidence that the medical research com- munity will eventually find ef- fective tools to combat Coronavirus by creation of vaccines, medications, and more effective testing and sur- veillance. The connections be- tween the previously referenced JAMA article (wu Z et al) strongly point to who is going to most likely be im-
pacted by this pandemic in our country, and even more im- portantly where they are lo- cated.
As each anticipated hotspot prepares for very probable significant impacts to their healthcare systems, we should also have foresight to more aggressively address the inequities in healthcare that exist within our country.
Each and every individual that positively contributes to our society must be provided the opportunity to maintain reasonably good health in order to have the capability to pursue life, liberty, and happi- ness in this great United States of America. Data provides the best pathway to achieving this end.
State News
Florida Delegation Urges Governor To Accept $20M
For Elections
A bipartisan group of Florida Members joined U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) to direct Governor Ron De- Santis to pull down funds to safeguard the 2020 elections that were provided by Con- gress in the CARES Act. The funds are to help Florida en- sure safe and robust efforts in spite of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for a safe and successful 2020 election cycle. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion Coronavirus relief package passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. The state’s Primary Election is August 18, 2020.
Upon a simple request from each state, the Election Assistance Committee (EAC) will distribute $20.2 million to the State of Florida, contin- gent on the state providing only a 25 percent match for a total of $24.2 million to en- sure this bedrock of democ- racy.
The letter was signed by the following U. S. Reps. from Florida: Kathy Castor, Stephanie Murphy, Mario Diaz-Balart, Charlie Crist, Val Demings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee L. Hastings, Al Lawson, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Donna E. Shalala, Darren Soto, and Debbie Wasser- man Schultz.
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