COVID-19
Our Response Initiatives
This is just the beginning.
Our mission has always been our community’s voice for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health. We represent advocate for the specific interests and concerns of African-American physicians and their patients. During this global pandemic that has made it's way to all of our front doors, our work is needed more so now than ever.
Data from the 40 states that collect race and ethnicity data show that White Americans are dying from COVID-19 at a rate of 22.7 per 100,000 in the population, whereas African Americans die at a rate 54.6 deaths per 100,000, Hispanic Americans at a rate of 24.9 deaths per 100,000, and Asian Americans at 24.3 deaths per 100,000.
Deaths in NJ of COVID-19 and its compilations are much higher in the black community, mirroring the national trend. Due to prior preexisting conditions, disparities in social determinants of health and implicit bias, black patients are at a higher risk of dying of COVID-19 complications.
With a history of distrust of the healthcare system within the black community, due to unethical care and continued systemic racism, it is essential that information is given to communities of color by trusted physicians or leaders of color.
We have been in conversation with First Lady Tammy Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, Senator Ronald Rice, Assemblywoman Shovanda Sumpter, Commissioner of the NJ Department of Health Judith M. Persichilli, Commissioner of the NJ Department of Human Services Carole Johnson, and Assistant Commissioner of Family Health Services Lisa Asare to ensure…
Full transparent data reflecting race impact
Improved access to testing in communities of color
Advocacy for free testing
Improved telemedicine platforms
Availability of medical equipment to allow virtual visits, including but not limited to:
blood pressure monitors
thermometers
fetal dopplers
pulse ox for oxygen saturation
urine dipsticks
