"To stave off future unnecessary loss of life, the COVID-19 crisis must be seen as an opportunity to finally fully address [cardiovascular disease] disparities and the underlying structural factors," write Keith C. Ferdinand, MD, FACC, and Samar A. Nasser, PhD, MPH, PA-C, in a guest editorial published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The editorial highlights the long-standing "toxic gumbo of CVD and environment" that predates the COVID-19 pandemic and has diminished overall life expectancy of African Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities for decades.

Ferdinand and Nasser note that data showing disparate African American COVID-19 mortality reflects these "long-standing, unacceptable U.S. racial/ethnic and socioeconomic CVD inequities and unmasks system failures and unacceptable care to be caught and mitigated."

The editorial stresses that "people of color are not genetically nor biologically predisposed to get COVID-19 but are socially prone to coronavirus exposure and have higher incidence of the very co-morbidities fueling complication."

As a result, Ferdinand and Nasser write that maintenance and continuity of cardiovascular care is needed more than ever. Additionally, "documenting racial/ethnic variations in testing and treatment is essential," they say. Noting that "these surveillance data must be used to monitor disparities and identify discrimination" once a vaccine is in place as well.

"Ensuring patient access to care, promoting diversity and inclusion, and addressing unconscious bias and the social determinates of health are key components of the ACC’s Mission, Vision and Values," says ACC President Athena Poppas, MD, FACC.

"Addressing health disparities in the U.S. and globally is of critical importance both as part of the College’s COVID-19 efforts and its long-term efforts to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health. The College is proud to work with partners like the Association of Black Cardiologists to move the profession forward."

COVID-19 patient resources, including an infographic outlining the importance of not ignoring heart attack symptoms during COVID-19 and calling 911, can be found at: CardioSmart.org/Coronavirus.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub

Keywords: Coronavirus, Coronavirus Infections, African Americans, COVID-19, African Americans, Cardiovascular Diseases, Incidence, Pandemics, Life Expectancy, Skin Pigmentation, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Coronavirus Infections, Minority Groups, Ethnic Groups, Myocardial Infarction

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