Disparities in disaster healthcare: A review through a pandemic lens

Abstract

Objective: To provide an overview of the literature on the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on healthcare disparities in various groups, in relation to social determinants of health (SDOH) and longstanding social disparities. Design: The Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) addressed the impact of health disparities in disaster planning and response. A workgroup composed of seven physicians with academic and deployment disaster medicine experience was formed. A literature review focusing on healthcare disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Search strategies included medical sources such as PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar and nonmedical publications focused on COVID-19. The group combined the literature found and identified general themes. A framework using recognized SDOH was applied to organize the material and allow for ease of reporting. We also noted the unmet burden and challenges that underserved communities struggled with prior to the pandemic onset. The workgroups’ report was presented to the ACEP Board of Directors. Results: COVID-19 significantly impacted groups burdened with poor SDOH to a much greater degree than the general population. Many healthcare disparities that existed prior to COVID-19 were worsened during the pandemic. Little information exists about how these inequities are being addressed. Conclusions: COVID-19 magnified and more fully exposed healthcare disparities. These disparities, although common, can be partially mitigated. Efforts are needed to better understand healthcare disparities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and to find solutions to address future pandemics across all four phases of a disaster.