Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, racial disparities in health continue to plague minority communities. Published on May 6, 2025, Deanna Pistono’s article in MinnPost highlights that while there has been progress, the future of federal funding for health care systems remains uncertain, casting a shadow over these advancements. Dr. Kevin Gilliam, medical director at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, notes that the pandemic illuminated long-standing inequities in health care and overall wellness, driven by factors such as poverty and systemic discrimination.
Research from the University of Minnesota in 2021 revealed that racial minorities and non-English speakers in Minnesota were more likely to suffer severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization within 45 days of diagnosis. Even when controlling for socioeconomic factors, these groups faced higher hospitalization rates. Anthony Stately, Ph.D., executive director of the Native American Community Clinic, observed significantly higher rates of COVID-19 positivity, hospitalization, and mortality among Indigenous people in urban areas and tribal communities across Minnesota.
Stately emphasizes that the ability to discuss health care disparities was a major gain during the pandemic, fostering broader recognition of these issues. However, the immediate future of federal funding for health care systems is in limbo, threatening the progress made. Community outreach during the pandemic was essential in addressing these disparities, but sustained efforts and resources are needed to continue improving health outcomes for minority populations.
See: “Five years post-COVID, racial disparities in health still persist” (May 6, 2025)