Social Injustice and Pediatric Health: Pediatric COVID-19 Guidelines are Exacerbating Health Disparities

Authors

Sneha Thamotharan, University of Colorado DenverFollow

Keywords

COVID-19, Pediatrics, Health Disparities, Social Injustice, Institutional Bias

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Fewer cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations have been reported in children. This has impacted the prioritization of pediatrics in understanding the infection, transmission, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in children. Unfortunately, COVID-19 rates are higher among racial and ethnic minoritized children. Simultaneously unfolding during this pandemic is a national outcry to address systemic injustice, including institutional racism in healthcare which are driving these disparities. Aligned with social justice, this paper reflects on how Pediatric COVID-19 guidelines may be exacerbating existing health disparities among racial and ethnic minoritized youth, as well as urges for and provides possible ways to culturally tailor current guidance.

Recommended Citation

Thamotharan, Sneha (2021) "Social Injustice and Pediatric Health: Pediatric COVID-19 Guidelines are Exacerbating Health Disparities," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 14: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol14/iss2/4