Disparities in Rates of COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death by Race and Ethnicity

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed long-standing health disparities through the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minority communities. This brief analyzes data from state and county health departments on the racial and ethnic demographics of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death. Currently available data indicate significant, widespread disparities in COVID-19 cases and deaths for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian populations, and suggest that disparities may also exist in some locations for Asian and NHPI populations. Evaluation of disparities at the county level highlights potential geographic variation in the severity of the impact on minority communities, but also indicates that disparities persist in rural, suburban, and urban counties.