Racial disparities in patients hospitalized for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the significance of health disparities across populations with older adults and minoritized groups being disproportionately affected. Data during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated higher infection rates, hospitalization rates, morbidity, and potentially greater mortality in Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans compared to Whites.

This is a retrospective cohort study of de-identified patient data from 178 hospitals across the United States. Outcome variables were the length of stay, in-hospital mortality, disease severity, and discharge disposition. Outcomes were stratified by sex and racial groups.

Of 45,360 patients, 22% were Black, 35% were Hispanic, 37% were White, and 6% were Other. The overall mortality rate was 15% across all groups but was 17% for White patients, 10% for Black patients, 14% for Hispanic patients, and 15% for patients categorized as Other. However, White patients have higher median age on admission (71 years) compared to Blacks (60 years), Hispanics (57 years), and Other (61 years). Race remained statistically significant in a multivariable model that included age, sex, and race. 6484 patients required ICU admission, intubation, and hemodynamic support. This burden was disproportionate across racial groups, with 15.6% of Blacks and 13.9% of non-Blacks having such critical disease (p < 0.0001, z-test for proportions).

In this national study of admitted patients with COVID-19, White patients admitted were older on average compared to other racial/ethnic groups and had a higher mortality rate compared to non-Whites hospitalized for COVID-19. Black patients were significantly more likely to require admission to the ICU, mechanical ventilation, and hemodynamic support. These COVID-19 health disparities highlight the importance of addressing social and structural determinants of health.