The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic crises and socio-political unrest have impacted the Black community significantly. While Black residents make up 13% of the population in Long Beach, they account for about 14% of hospitalizations and 20% of deaths from coronavirus.
- In Long Beach, California the COVID-19 death rate for Blacks who fall ill with COVID-19 is 4.47 per 10,000; this is 30.3% higher compared to the death rate for Whites who fall ill with COVID-19 (3.43 per 10,000). This is connected to the underlying health conditions most likely to exacerbate COVID-19 complications leading to higher severity of illness.
- Black Long Beach residents are nine times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma and seven times more likely to be hospitalized for hypertension compared to White Long Beach residents
- Black residents are at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 because many cannot work from home, cannot afford to miss work, and often have jobs that require interacting with large numbers of other people.
Additionally, COVID-19 has disrupted lives across the life span in Long Beach by closing schools, prohibiting social interactions, and eliminating jobs. The consistent anxiety of potential infection, compounded with the intergenerational trauma of historic and structural racism, has impacted the mental health of the Black community through increased levels of chronic stress and anxiety. In turn, that psychological stress can lead to physical health problems.