Black Nurses Collaborative Approach to Addressing COVID-19 in Black Communities

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Black communities in the USA, raising critical questions about underlying causes.
• Systemic racism and historical injustices are identified as significant factors contributing to health disparities in Black populations.
• The National Black Nurses Association has long advocated for community-based models to address these inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Black communities.
• To emphasize the role of systemic racism and social determinants of health in these disparities.
• To advocate for a shift towards a wellness model in US healthcare focused on prevention and health promotion.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing healthcare and social sciences literature.
• Analysis of the impact of laws, policies, and practices on health outcomes.
• Examination of the National Black Nurses Association's community-based practice model.

Main Results:

• The pandemic underscored deep-rooted health disparities affecting Black and Brown individuals.
• Systemic racism and social determinants of health significantly impact the well-being of Black communities.
• There is a recognized need to move from illness treatment to a proactive wellness and prevention model in healthcare.

Conclusions:

• Addressing health inequity requires confronting systemic racism and social determinants of health.
• Increasing the number of Black registered nurses and licensed vocational/practical nurses is essential for achieving health equity.
• The US healthcare system should prioritize health protection, promotion, and prevention for improved community well-being.