NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — As kids in some parts of the state are returning back to the classroom, recent health reports show COVID-19 and racial disparities are not just a problem in adults of color but also our children.
The CDC in a recent report found that nearly three-quarters of the children with the syndrome were either Hispanic or Black.
In the report, of the 576 children hospitalized for the virus across 14 states including Tennessee found more than 240 (45.8%) were Hispanic, 156 (29.7%) African American and 74 (14.1%) White, 24 (4.6%) were non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander; and 4 (0.8%) were non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native.
"The number of children that are Hispanic or African American, they’re hospitalization rates are increasing, and the number of cases also in those children is increasing," said Dr. William Schaffner with VUMC.
Forty-two percent of children in this analysis had one or more existing medical conditions, with a higher prevalence among Hispanic and black children.
"It might be the socioeconomic status because people live closer together," said Schaffner, "It’s true that there are more multi-generational households in those communities and also, there may be issues of access to medical care."
If a child has an existing health concern like obesity, the study shows the risk of more severe symptoms and hospitalization increases.
Schaffner said thankfully children of any race typically bounce back from the virus.
