Addressing Rehabilitation Health Care Disparities During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic and Beyond

Nicole B Katz; Tracey L Hunter; Laura E Flores; Julie K Silver

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2023.03.005

Addressing Rehabilitation Health Care Disparities During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic and Beyond

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2023 Aug;34(3):657-675. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.03.005. Epub 2023 Mar 31.

Authors

Nicole B Katz¹, Tracey L Hunter², Laura E Flores³, Julie K Silver⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 300 First Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. Electronic address: NKatz@mgh.harvard.edu.
² Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 300 First Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/TraceyHunterMD.
³ College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd & Emile Street, Omaha, NE 68198, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/LauraFlowersE.
⁴ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 300 First Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/JulieSilverMD.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic exposed and expanded upon preexisting health care disparities. Individuals with disabilities and those who identify with racial/ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately adversely impacted. These inequities are likely present in the proportions of individuals impacted by post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection requiring specialized rehabilitation. Specific populations including, but not limited to pregnant, pediatric, and older individuals, may also necessitate tailored medical care during acute infection and beyond. Telemedicine may reduce the care gap. Further research and clinical guidance are needed to provide equitable, culturally competent, and individualized care to these historically or socially marginalized and underrepresented populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; Disability; Disparities; Ethnicity; Long COVID; Race; Rehabilitation; Women.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Child
Ethnicity
Health Services Accessibility
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Minority Groups
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2