On May 15, the Eastern States Community Impact team launched the first webinar of a series designed to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in communities of color. The webinar was offered to health equity leaders nationwide and was attended by approximately 1,035 participants.
During the webinar, implications of COVID-19 from the perspective of economics, education, physical, and mental health were explored. Moderator Tanya M. Odom, a global consultant, coach, and Diversity and Inclusion, equity, and civil rights thought leader, guided the conversation. Panelists discussed the connection between health disparities and inequities as it relates to the coronavirus crisis, noting that both largely exist among people of color who are typically front-line workers with low-wage jobs, living in confined environments in which social distancing is a challenge. Solutions to addresses the current crisis and its future implications were also shared.
The following AHA senior leaders and top health equity leaders were featured guests:
- MODERATOR: Tanya M. Odom, Ed.M., global consultant, executive coach, Tanya M. Odom Coaching and Consulting
- Atif Bostic, executive director, Uplift Solutions
- Dr. Lisa Cooper, director, Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute
- Keith B. Churchwell, M.D., FACC, FAHA, FACP, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Yale New Haven Hospital; associate clinical professor of cardiovascular medicine, Yale School of Medicine
- Gerald E. Johnson II, executive vice president, Health Equity, chief diversity officer, AHA
- Reginald L. Robinson, M.D., cardiologist, MedStar Washington Hospital Center
- Nicole Aiello Sapio, Ed.D., executive vice president, AHA Eastern States
The Community Conversation was the first In a series planned to foster discussions within the communities we serve to ensure equitable health for all. For more information or to access the replay, visit easternstates.heart.org/covidandrace.