When Disparities and Disabilities Collide: Inequities during the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Verduzco‐Gutierrez, Monica; Lara, Allan M.; Annaswamy, Thiru M.

When initial reports emerged in early 2020 that people in the United States were testing positive for the novel coronavirus, physiatrists began to worry about the effects it could have on persons with disabilities and health disparities. To date, little has been reported on the intersectionality between disability, race and ethnicity and its effect on the health and healthcare of affected people. With widespread use and forced adoption of telemedicine to serve their rehabilitative healthcare needs during this pandemic, this novel information on the intersection of two vulnerable and inter-related populations that have been overlooked during COVID-19, is of major health importance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.