National Medical Association

Professional Development Series

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Annual Legislative Conference

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the longstanding issues of disparities in healthcare and health outcomes for populations. Few populations are more acutely affected by these inequities in health than African American seniors.

Older adult African Americans are disproportionately impacted by many chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and HIV. The lack of access to quality, affordable care results in low health care utilization and the inability to engage in prevention or treatment. African Americans often experience premature aging, when compared to other racial demographics, due to unaddressed and declining health accumulated across a life span impacted by psychosocial, economic, and environmental stressors.

Additionally, when compared to other racial demographics, African American seniors are more likely to be dependent on a relative for care; and often that care is given at home without additional support from other care givers. African American caregivers are often more likely to also have full-time employment outside of the home.

In the age of COVID-19 these factors make older African Americans one of the most high-risk patient populations. This session will discuss strategies for supporting African American seniors and their care givers.

In order for the content to be viewed, everyone must register for the conference, registration is free. The link to register is cbcfinc.org/ALC2020.