The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Black and Hispanic Americans’ Work Outcomes: a Scoping Review

Abstract

In early 2020, it was hypothesized that COVID-19 would lead to disproportionately negative health and work outcomes for Black and Hispanic adults, but sufficient data had yet been collected to fully support this claim. Now, we have empirical evidence, but little has been done to aggregate this information to fully understand its impact on these communities. Utilizing 44 articles from a scoping review of three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Business Source Complete), this study seeks to identify the primary work-related risks that help explain Black and Hispanic adults’ disparate COVID-19-related work outcomes (e.g., loss of hours, job disruption, stress). Findings illuminate four primary risks faced by Black and Hispanic workers: (1) being an essential worker, (2) type of work performed, (3) workplace factors; and (4) community and geographic factors. We conclude with policy recommendations that will help inform policy and practice for economic recovery from the pandemic for other marginalized populations.

Why presumptions are important in occupational health: The example of COVID‐19 infection as an occupational disease

“…15,36 Furthermore, heightened awareness about social justice and income inequality reinforce the desirability that frontline workers-one-third of whom earn below average wages, frequently do not have sick leave and health insurance, and are disproportionately represented by Black and Hispanic workers-be given facilitated access to workers' compensation benefits for COVID-19 illnesses. 37,38 39,40 All were rebuttable with the exception of the law passed in Alaska. Summaries are available 1,2 and state-based results have been described in individual state reports, [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] select multistate reports, [51][52][53] and a handful of peer-reviewed papers.…”

Working while Black: examining the career development gap in the Black workforce and investigating the racist roots of professionalism

“…Challenges and injustices that the Black community has endured for decades were brought to the fore. The surge in coronavirus cases disproportionately impacted people of color, who lacked the same access to health and financial resources as White Americans due to limitations in their careers, limited career options, and delays in advancement in the workplace (Jason et al, 2023). This lack of access not only hinders the availability of resources for personal and professional development but also obstructs awareness of available opportunities (Hansen et al, 2023;Mishra, 2020).…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic ignited my passion to further explore this subject because the Black community was significantly impacted. This was a sensitive time for marginalized communities, specifically the Black community, as they were more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 due to their day-to-day jobs being categorized as essential workers and not having proper access to health care (Jason et al, 2023). Essential worker roles were typically jobs that required face-to-face contact, such as customer service.…”

“…Essential worker roles were typically jobs that required face-to-face contact, such as customer service. These roles tend to be in retail environments, the food industry, transportation, and critical blue-collar trades (Jason et al, 2023). From my own experience in these types of work environments, health insurance is not available as a benefit from the organization, which requires employees to purchase individual health insurance plans or enroll in government-sponsored programs such as Medicare or Medicaid if eligible.…”