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Topline
Black, Hispanic and Native American workers in the U.S. are more likely than white and Asian workers to have jobs that must be done in-person and in close proximity to other employees, putting them at an increased risk of catching coronavirus, according to a new report from the Urban Institute.
The Urban Institute researchers said the increased risk of exposure contributes to the higher case … [+]
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Key Facts
Researchers estimated that 53% of Hispanic, 51% of Black, 51% of Native American and 47% of multiracial workers hold nonessential or essential jobs requiring in-person work during the pandemic, compared to 41% of white and 42% of Asian workers.
In-person work and commuting on public transportation puts workers of color and their families at a higher risk of getting coronavirus.
Hispanic, Black and Native American workers with these types of jobs are more likely to live in multigenerational households, the researchers found, with older family members and children who need to go to daycare, school or require other supervision while their parents are at work.
Hispanic, Black and Native American employees with these jobs are more likely to be uninsured, at 28%, 16% and 28%, respectively, compared to 10% of white workers, according to the researchers.
Key Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that the rate of coronavirus cases is 1.8 times higher for Native Americans than for whites, 1.4 times for African Americans and 1.7 times for Hispanics, and hospitalizations and deaths are higher as well. The Urban Institute researchers said the increased risk of exposure contributes to the higher case and death rates among Hispanic, Black and Native American people and noted people from these demographics are less likely to have access to high-quality medical care. The researchers recommended multiple public health changes that could help alleviate the risk, including distributing a low-cost or free vaccine to healthcare and other essential workers first, offering universal paid sick leave policies for any employee who contracts coronavirus or is exposed to someone who is sick and mandating mask and social distancing requirements for both customers and employees.
Big Number
13.77 million. That’s how many confirmed coronavirus cases there have been in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Further Reading
How Risk of Exposure to the Coronavirus at Work Varies by Race and Ethnicity and How to Protect the Health and Well-Being of Workers and Their Families (Urban Institute)
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