Many Rhode Islanders living in specific geographies have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths throughout the pandemic. For example, in the seven hardest-hit ZIP codes, people of color as young as 25 are experiencing higher hospitalization rates than white people over 60 years old. Such differences are directly connected to the social conditions in which some communities of color are more likely to live and work every day, and to systems of structural racism and discrimination that have historically undermined the health and well-being of these communities.  

This week’s guest experts, Dr. Katrina Byrd and Jennifer Bandy, talk about their personal and professional experiences working with some of the harder hit communities of Rhode Island throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Byrd is an adult and pediatric infectious disease specialist. She is a fellow at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI. Bandy is a professor of critical race theory at Providence College and the education director at West End Community Center, which includes an early learning center, youth center, and food bank that serves families in Providence, RI.   

In this week’s episode of the Public Health Out Loud podcast, co-hosts Dr. Philip Chan and Dr. Jim McDonald ask: how can public health advocates and physicians alike foster trust between themselves and Black and Brown communities? Download this week’s episode to find out.