Episode Topic: Special Populations

Not all communities have been impacted by COVID-19 in the same way. Different experiences have emerged based on factors such as race, socioeconomic class, family structure, age, gender, and the intersection of many different identities. The COVID-19 pandemic is a threat to the general population of the United States and other countries. However, it has become increasingly clear that some of the population is more vulnerable than others. There are many groups that are considered uniquely vulnerable including but not limited to racial/ethnic minorities, children, the elderly, immigrants/refugees, those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, disabled, uninsured, from rural communities, incarcerated, facing domestic violence, LGBTQ+, and those with comorbidities. Policy makers and government and health officials have been slow to recognize and respond to the needs of these populations.

Featured Speakers: 

• Heidi Beidinger-Burnett, Director, Eck Institute for Global Health Masters Program; Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame; President of the St. Joseph County Board of Health
• Mary Ann McDowell, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Member of the Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame
• Debra Stanley, Founder and Executive Director, Imani Unidad, Inc.
• William Redman, Sheriff, St. Joseph County

Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: go.nd.edu/5548d1.

This podcast is a part of the Consider This! ThinkND Series titled “Consider This! Simplifying the COVID-19 Conversation”.

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