Historical Perspective of Pediatric Health Disparities in Infectious Diseases: Centuries in the Making

Abstract

COVID-19 laid bare the disproportionate effects of infectious agents on vulnerable communities. However, historically, infectious diseases have long been known to affect certain communities to a greater extent than others. The mechanisms behind these differences are multifactorial, and lie less in biological susceptibility and instead more on socioeconomic factors and other social determinants of health. This article highlights health disparities in common infections such as respiratory syncytial virus, tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, and influenza and will use lessons learned from previous pathogens and infectious disease disparities in vulnerable populations to provide context to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of health disparity on pediatric infections

“…Childhood vaccinations are one of the most important public health interventions for the prevention of infections. Lower vaccination rates in non-White groups have been reported for several vaccine-preventable infections, including influenza, COVID-19, meningococcus serogroup B, and human papillomavirus [17,18]. Public insurance, lower household income, and non-English language preference are also associated with lower vaccination rates [19,20].…”

“…groups have been reported for several vaccine-preventable infections, including influenza, COVID-19, meningococcus serogroup B, and human papillomavirus [17,18]. Public insurance, lower household income, and non-English language preference are also associated with lower vaccination rates [19,20].…”