People are scared, and for good reason: The coronavirus is an equal opportunity threat. But in this case equal opportunity does not mean equal impact. People who were already disadvantaged before the pandemic disproportionately suffer the most serious consequences of COVID-19.
The Health Equity Research Center at Washington State University surveyed 14 health care organizations from the Olympic Peninsula to Eastern Washington to learn how the pandemic is affecting their ability to provide services.
According to Paul Whitney, professor of psychology and director of WSU’s Health Equity Research Center, and Anna Zamora-Kapoor, assistant professor of sociology and medical education and clinical sciences, “staff are overwhelmed with pandemic-related patient needs, there is little time to deal with other medical issues.”