Healthcare Disparity and COVID-19: Analysis of US Healthcare System

This report delves into the critical issue of healthcare disparity within the United States, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how existing inequalities in the healthcare system have led to disproportionate impacts on specific demographic groups, especially minority populations. The report references Senator Kamala's concerns about the issue and agrees with the claim that people of color are overrepresented in COVID-19 infections and deaths. While acknowledging the lack of comprehensive official data to support these claims, the report emphasizes the potential for the pandemic to transform the preparedness of the healthcare sector. It concludes by advocating for standardization of healthcare systems across states to reduce existing healthcare inequalities and improve health outcomes. The report cites relevant sources to support its claims, including articles from The Atlantic and The Washington Post.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION 1
Introduction to Healthcare Organization
Name of Student
Institutional Affiliation

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION 2
Introduction to Healthcare Organization
Health Disparity and COVID 19 Upsurge in the United States
In the United States, the nature and organization of the healthcare system have been
associated with a significant disparity in terms of demographic variables and characteristics.
Attempts have been made to close the existing gaps to encourage equitable healthcare. Minority
and special groups are associated with high risks and increased care needs; however, lack of
robust and focused healthcare interventions has been the source of the disparity witnessed over
an extended period (Khullar & Chokshi, 2018). With the upsurge in COVID 19 cases, it is
evident that these special groups have been significantly affected. In such a case, there is a
critical downturn in disparity, which is an indicator of the existing imperfections in the
healthcare system.
Differing Opinions
Senator Kamala raised significant issues regarding the disparity in healthcare in the
country and how it impacts COVID 19 outcomes. I agree with her that indeed there are rooted
disparities in healthcare affecting people of the color and have subsequently subjected this
population to higher risks of COVID 19 deaths (Kendi, 2020; Williams, 2020). There is already
the information from practitioners and other individuals who claim that people of color are
overrepresented in COVID 19 infections as well as deaths. However, there is no official data
from the government to ascertain these claims (Kendi, 2020; Williams, 2020). Additionally, no
evidence ascertains that some demographic groups are receiving more privileges associated with
COVID 19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION 3
Moving Forward
It is important to note that in the long-run, this pandemic will transform the level of
preparedness of the healthcare sector in the country. Moving forward, the government should
standardize the healthcare system and operations across the states to create uniformity, which
will pave the way for the alleviation of the existing healthcare inequality.

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION 4
References
Khullar, D. & Chokshi, D. A. (2018). Health, Income, and Poverty: Where We Are and What
Could Help. Health Affairs. Retrieved from,
https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hpb20180817.901935/full/
Kendi, I. X. (April 2020). What the Racial Data Shows. Thee Atlantic. Retrieved from,
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/coronavirus-exposing-our-racial-
divides/609526/
Williams, V. (April 2020). Government Urged to Release Race, Ethnicity Data on COVID 19
Cases. The Washington Post. Retrieved from,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/government-urged-to-release-race-ethnicity-
data-on-covid-19-cases/2020/04/06/7891aba0-7827-11ea-b6ff-597f170df8f8_story.html