Should the convergence between the social and biological vulnerabilities of black communities and the COVID-19 pandemic be considered?

Abstract

The context of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the structural inequalities and vulnerabilities experienced by black communities in the world, and in Brazil it is no different. The data generated in Brazil demonstrate that Brazilian inequality is alarming. Underreporting, non-prioritization of data that consider the variable race and color, and social groups in social vulnerability, help the unequal instrumentalization of epidemiological surveillance; many deaths from the black population are not being accounted for. Structural racism and the invisibility of the black population have been intensified with the pandemic. There is emerging evidence that COVID-19 may disproportionately affect black people, who in addition to the vulnerability resulting from socio-spatial conditions, appear to be more susceptible to contamination with a more serious and lethal outcome. Finally, biological differences, such as impaired functioning of the immune response, can be increased by structural racism. In this sense, we reinforce that possible relationships between social and biological vulnerabilities of black communities and the SARS-CoV-2 infection pandemic need to be considered and investigated.

COVID-19, SDGs and public health systems: Linkages in Brazil

“…Data from the Brazilian SUS [27] indicate that the demographic aspects and healthcare structure are social determinants related to the incidence, mortality, and lethality [45] , [52] , [12] , [61] . Studies indicate a higher infection rate in the black population [28] , [78] and in elders living in long-term care houses [57] . In Brazilian, the odds of COVID-19-linked mortality were higher in groups such as non-white, healthcare workers or low-income residents [54] .…”