IMPACT THE of COVID-19 on African American Treatment Programs The Impact of Covid-19 on African American Treatment Programs T he coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed long-standing discrepancies in health care for people of color, as well as amplifying social and economic variables that lead to poor health. According to recent news reports, the epidemic is disproportionately affecting people of color, exacerbating longstanding racial inequities. According to CDC case statistics as of April 15, 2020, African Americans, who make up 13% of the total US population (US Census Bureau, 2018) accounted for 30% of COVID-19 cases. Similarly, African Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 hospitalization rates. Disparities in documented cases and deaths exist between states with higher African American populations accounted for a disproportionately high number of those directly affected by COVID-19 according to Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020; CDC, 2020; US Census Bureau. Adding to the Problems of Behavioral Health The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to racial and ethnic inequities in mental health treatment access. While their incidence of behavioral health illnesses may not differ considerably from the overall population, African Americans have significantly less access to mental health and drug abuse treatment. The COVID-19 epidemic will put people with behavioral health disorders at even greater risk, given the current barriers to care for African Americans related to social determinants of health. African Americans also have less access to essential treatment, are more likely to discontinue treatment early, and receive less culturally sensitive care. When it comes to substance abuse, Black communities are still dealing with the opioid epidemic while also dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. African Americans have inadequate access to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. While they have similar rates of opioid addiction as the overall population, African Americans have had the highest increase in the rate of non-methadone synthetic opioid overdose deaths in recent years. What Action Needs to be Taken There are a number of strategies needed to avoid disruptions in substance use treatment and recovery programs, expand tele-health capacity, and help people with COVID-19 who have substance use disorders and major mental illnesses. Relapses and higher rates of hepatitis and HIV can be triggered by disrupting recovery support groups, closing clinics, and eliminating harm reduction activities like syringe service programs.
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