New Data Dashboard Displays Health Impact of COVID-19 by Race and Ethnicity
Data shows communities of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19
Today, the Department of Health Services (DHS) released a new data dashboard that displays COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by race and ethnicity. This new visualization helps illustrate some of the unequal health impacts of COVID-19 in our communities, particularly among people of color. The race and ethnicity dashboard is part of an ongoing effort to close health disparities throughout the state by promoting tools and resources centered on health equity.
“COVID-19 reminds us of the fact that every person’s health is intertwined with the health of their neighbors in our communities,” said Governor Tony Evers. “Our Black neighbors, Tribal Nations, Latinx communities, and other communities of color are bearing the brunt of this pandemic. While we cannot reverse systemic health inequities overnight, we can all come together to protect our neighbors by practicing good public health. When we stay home, wear masks, stay six feet apart, and wash our hands, we are also promoting the health and safety of all Wisconsinites.”
Underlying factors contribute to these gaps in health outcomes experienced by communities of color such as policy choices, discrimination and racism, housing, income, or accessibility to health care. Called social determinants of health, these social factors have been and continue to be shaped by racism and discrimination, which create unfair vulnerabilities and barriers for these populations. Despite these barriers, many Tribal nations and communities of color have limited the devastating impacts of COVID-19 in their communities by working together and taking public health precautions seriously, such as limiting their activity out in their communities, wearing face coverings, and physical distancing.
“DHS is continuously trying to address, through public health and healthcare, the role it plays creating, perpetuating, and exacerbating systemic racism,” said Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “Along with the Governor’s Health Equity Council, this new data dashboard will help us identify health inequities throughout the state and help provide actionable solutions to better meet the needs of those in our communities significantly impacted by this crisis.”
Learn more about health equity and what we can do: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html(link is external).
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Bi-Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Dec 9th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
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