Coronavirus Health Inequities in the United States Highlight Need for Continued Community Development Efforts*

Abstract

<jats:p> The coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic of 2020 has shown a spotlight on inequity in the USA. Although these inequities have long existed, the coronavirus and its disparate impact on health in different communities have raised the visibility of these deeply ingrained inequities to a level that has created a new awareness across the US population and an opportunity to use this heightened awareness of the existing conditions for change. ‘Community and social development’ efforts in the post-pandemic USA can be informed by a health justice framework, across economic, societal and cultural, environmental and social dimensions. Dimensions which have all been implicated in the coronavirus response and complement other social and community development models. Although health disparities and inequities did not begin with coronavirus and will not end in the post-pandemic USA, social and community development efforts which value health justice and concentrate on social determinants of health can provide needed policies and programmes for a more equitable US health system. </jats:p>

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Workers at the Frontline: A Survey of Canadian Social Workers

“…Social workers are integral to assist with the range of psycho-social and mental health needs emerging during the pandemic ( Amadasun, 2020 ; Holmes et al , 2020 ; Walter-McCabe, 2020a , b ). The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened client complexities ( Abrams and Szefler, 2020 ; Walter-McCabe, 2020a ).…”

“…Online services can enhance access for persons with disabilities, those living with social anxiety and those residing in rural or underserviced areas ( Mishna et al , 2015 ; Jong et al , 2019 ). Further, virtual care has made it possible for many social workers to continue providing services to clients even during a period of physical distancing ( Walter-McCabe, 2020b ). These benefits were noted in our study.…”

“…Social work practice brings an expertise grounded in a person-in-environment perspective; a systemic understanding of institutions and policies; an expertise in the social determinants of health and professional skills to support individuals, groups and communities ( Skeketee et al , 2017 ; NASW, 2020a ). More than ever, there is an urgent need to ensure that social workers are well supported to respond to clients’ overwhelming psycho-social needs emerging during pandemic ( Bern-Klug and Beaulieu, 2020 ; Walter-McCabe, 2020a , b ).…”

“…Social work harnesses a range of skills and competencies of importance to the emerging needs of the pandemic including risk assessments, crisis management, advanced care planning, individual and group therapy, case management, systems navigation, problem solving, resource allocation, community mobilisation and policy development ( Skeketee et al , 2017 ; Ashcroft et al , 2018 ; Bern-Klug and Beaulieu, 2020 ; Walter-McCabe, 2020a ). Recent scholarship illustrates how crucial the role of social work is to the current crisis ( Walter-McCabe, 2020a , b ). Social workers work across micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice and have been visible in fighting for social justice, particularly against xenophobia and racism, which has risen tremendously during the pandemic ( Miller and Lee, 2020 ; Walter-McCabe, 2020a ).…”

Digital Disenfranchisement and COVID-19: Broadband Internet Access as a Social Determinant of Health

“…For example, in 2015, the FCC pledged a total of $505 million over the course of 6 years to internet provider CenturyLink. These federal funds were to be used in expanding broadband availability in rural communities (McCabe, 2020). Although the company consistently failed to reach its broadband targets, it was not sanctioned by the FCC and continued to be eligible for federal funding.…”