Vulnerability of the black population in Brazil to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the historical inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social groups differently, which calls for special assistance to ethnic-racial minorities living in a situation of vulnerability. In light of this, this study is aimed to analyze the vulnerability of the black population in Brazil to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A quantitative descriptive study following a documentary method was conducted based on the coronavirus disease epidemiological bulletins published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Two variables were assessed from epidemiological bulletins regarding race/color: hospitalizations for severe acute respiratory syndrome and deaths due to COVID-19. Results: A steady increase in rates of hospitalization for severe acute respiratory syndrome (from 23.9% to 54.7%) and death (from 34.3% to 61.3%) was observed among the black population in bulletins 9-18, contrary to the steady decrease in rates of hospitalization (from 73% to 43.3%) and death (from 6.29% to 36.5%) among the white people. It was also found that black people are more likely to be hospitalized for SARS infection and death due to COVID-19 in Brazil, suggesting that they are at a higher vulnerability. Discussion: This unfavorable scenario for the black population is considered to arise from the difficulty or impossibility of social integration, the prevalence of comorbidities that trigger severe COVID-19 forms, difficulties in accessing healthcare services and institutional racism. Conclusion: The implementation of a social protection network is necessary to reduce the disease infection and the mortality of the virus.