CDC: COVID-19 affected Black, Hispanic, Native American children disproportionately

An alarming new report shows COVID-19 is killing Hispanic, Black and Native American children at a high rate compared to their white peers.
Figures showing how the virus affects communities of color have been prevalent throughout the pandemic. But now a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows minority children are also bearing the brunt of the virus.
According to the CDC, 75% of the pediatric COVID-19 deaths in the United States were Black, Hispanic or Native American children, even though those groups only make up 41% of the population.
There are several possible reasons for the disparity, including underlying conditions. The study found that three-quarters of the children who died from COVID-19 had at least one underlying condition, such as asthma or obesity. Those problems are more common among minority youths.
Another factor has to do with social disparities. Children of color are more likely to live in crowded spaces, have food insecurity and lack access to quality medical care.
Rebecca Sanin, with the Long Island Health and Welfare Council says those problems of inequality are too common here, and that it has to change.
"Long Island needs to come to terms with the fact that we are one of the most segregated regions in the country. And segregation naturally results in separate and unequal outcomes for people," says Sanin.
The report says the virus killed 121 Americans under the age of 21 from February to July. Those numbers were counted before school started again.