Examining Social Determinants of Health, Stigma, and COVID-19 Disparities

Jocelyn Turner-Musa, Oluwatoyin Ajayi, Layschel Kemp, Jocelyn Turner-Musa, Oluwatoyin Ajayi, Layschel Kemp

Abstract

There is growing attention to disparities in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) in racial/ethnic communities. The conditions leading to these disparities may be a function of social determinants of health and stigma linked to the disease. It is important to examine how these factors may be implicated in COVID-19 onset, treatment, and outcomes. A brief overview of these issues allows for a cursory examination of the role of social determinants of health and stigma in COVID-19. Consideration is given to how understanding COVID-19 in the context of social determinants and stigma may be included in interventions to mitigate its transmission within vulnerable populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; health disparities; race/ethnicity; social determinants of health; stigma.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Source: PubMed

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