Minority Health Challenges: Resources for Low-Income Minorities During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic by Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP

Even when there’s not a pandemic, low-income minorities face health challenges. African American children are twice as likely to have asthma, for example – a high-risk symptom that makes coronavirus (COVID-19) even more dangerous – and as adults, they are three times more likely to die from it. 

While the poor historically shoulder the brunt of disease outbreaks, these important resources can help:

• Free school meal programs. School breakfast and lunch programs serve over 50 million kids. While school is out, many are offering grab-and-go meals, so reach out to your district to learn where to access food resources.

• Free prescription delivery. CVS, Walgreens and other prescription delivery services are offering free delivery to save you a trip to the pharmacy.

• Drive-through testing. Multiple states have set up drive-through testing facilities, with more to come. Most require an appointment, so call ahead if you have symptoms.

• Retail clinics. Nurse practitioners are conducting video visits to assess COVID-19 risk and determine next steps. They also still give flu, pneumonia and whooping cough vaccinations to reduce the risk of lung complications and treat ancillary problems like the flu and allergy flareups. 

April is Minority Health Month. Let’s share these resources with the people most affected to make sure everyone has access to quality care.

The information on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider.

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