Want People to Take the COVID-19 Vaccine? Confront Racism in Health Care
Even as the Delta variant rages through the U.S., many Americans have not received a COVID-19 vaccine. The reasons are complex, but for Black and Latino(a) communities, a long history of poor access to health care has been a tall barrier. On the first episode of the new season of the Commonwealth Fund’s The Dose podcast, host Shanoor Seervai talks to Rhea Boyd, a pediatrician and public health advocate, about what it takes to dismantle the historic racism that has long prevented people of color from getting the health care they need. Black and Latino(a) health care professionals like Dr. Boyd are answering questions about the COVID-19 vaccine online and in person. If we make it a national priority, she says, we can ensure Black and Latino(a) people get credible information about the vaccines and easy access to them.