COVID-19 And Mistrust Of The Health Care System

A history of abuse has left many African Americans wary of vaccination efforts

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Spotlight: Painful History Shadows Vaccine Efforts A lingering mistrust of the medical system makes some Black Americans more hesitant to sign up for COVID-19 vaccines. It has played out in early data that show a stark disparity in who is getting shots in the U.S. — more than 60% going to white people, and roughly 6% to African Americans. The mistrust is rooted in history, including the infamous study of syphilis that left Black men in Tuskegee, Ala., to suffer from the disease. In 1932, the U.S. Public Health Service, working with the Tuskegee Institute, recruited hundreds of Black men, some of whom had syphilis. The researchers offered free meals and checkups, but never explained that participants would be human subjects in a study designed to withhold medical treatment. The study looms large in Tuskegee's collective memory, and health officials are up against a powerful sentiment as they try to ramp up vaccinations. "I think a part of the challenge is that there's still a lot of anxiety about the vaccine," says Amir Farooqi, director of the Central Alabama VA. "It's unfortunate because it's a really great tool to help people protect their personal health as well as the public health." Dr. Reuben Warren, director of Tuskegee University’s bioethics center, notes the mistrust of the health care system among African Americans is “both historical and current.”  Warren says the "use and abuse of Black bodies" dates to slavery, and continued for hundreds of years. He cites the eugenics movement, for example. Now, he says, the coronavirus pandemic and its disparate impact on people of color have exposed the shortcomings of the U.S. health care delivery system. — Debbie Elliott, NPR National Desk correspondent Read more Newsletter continues after sponsor message Samuel Corum/Getty Images What's In The Next COVID-19 Relief Bill On the most recent episode of the NPR Politics Podcast, the team breaks down the latest COVID-19 relief effort put together by House Democrats, which is expected to be finalized by the end of this week. With provisions like $1,400 direct payments to individuals, extended unemployment assistance and a child tax credit, the $1.9 trillion bill is shaping up to be one of the most expensive spending bills in American history.  The plan will also include a $15 federal minimum wage, an item that has long been on the wish list of progressive Democrats. That’s less likely to pass a divided Senate. But some Democrats see the Obama administration’s response to the 2008 financial crisis as a lesson that their ambitions for this relief bill should be bigger and bolder than the last recession.  Though millions of Americans are still struggling financially, the economy is in better shape than forecasters originally predicted. This has led some critics to question whether an influx of $1.9 trillion is necessary. But the Biden administration has made it clear that with the pandemic ongoing, the risk is doing too little — not too much.  — Chloee Weiner, NPR Politics Podcast producer Listen to the podcast Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Vermont Public Radio (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprpolitics@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy