Back in October, the Richmond VA Branch NAACP partnered with HCA Virginia to host a live virtual forum “Health Equity and COVID: What You Need to Know” to consider the impact of COVID on health disparities, hear from healthcare providers about the new CDC recommendations for vaccination, and recognize local healthcare leaders. The discussion was moderated by James “J.J.” Minor, President of the Richmond VA Branch NAACP. Speakers included Richmond City Councilperson Stephanie Lynch (5th District), Dr. Chelsea Cosby Morgan, Deputy Director of Comprehensive Health at the Veterans Health Administration Office of Women’s Health, and Dr. Jake O’Shea, Chief Medical Officer for HCA Virginia.

The topical, hour-long virtual forum highlighted the challenge of mistrust among Black patient populations resulting from historical mistreatment by the healthcare system and how preexisting disparities have led to an increase in COVID mortality rates for Black Americans due to COVID. Panelists also addressed the safety of vaccination during pregnancy, the increased danger of COVID for pregnant women magnifying racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, and community resources available to help close these gaps.

Speakers also took the opportunity to honor our local frontline healthcare heroes and first responders for their courageous work during this pandemic. Virginia Delegate Delores McQuinn (D-HD70) and Delegate Dawn Adams (D-HD68) attended the event and participated by asking relevant questions related to the COVID vaccine and flu shot.

Black women are already three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Dr. Chelsea Cosby Morgan, Deputy Director of Comprehensive Health at the Veterans Health Administration Office of Women’s Health encouraged all pregnant women, especially pregnant Black women, to get vaccinated. Dr. Cosby Morgan also addressed rumors that have kept people from protecting themselves, stating: “We know that a lot of people are comparing this to Tuskegee. And one of the major differences between Tuskegee and the COVID pandemic is that we now have equal access to information. At that time people kept us in the dark, people told us lies and so now we all have equal access to experts. We have access to the internet and I want to encourage everyone to look up things. So, if you hear something that sounds fishy, you can look it up yourself and don’t necessarily take rumors to be the truth. Now that doesn’t mean you look it up on Facebook, you have to go to reputable sources. So please go to the CDC.”

Richmond City Councilperson Stephanie Lynch (5th District) spoke from her personal experience of contracting COVID while pregnant earlier this year and stressed that, while she had her own initial reservations about receiving the vaccine while pregnant, she encouraged pregnant women to get vaccinated as pregnant women are at a greater risk of developing complications related to COVID:“I’m here to tell you please, please, please for the sake of the baby and for you, get vaccinated.” Councilperson Lynch also touted the work being done by the Richmond Health Department to ensure that the entire city has equitable access to the vaccine through efforts such as the mass vaccination site at Richmond Raceway. Councilperson Lynch highlighted the decision by the Richmond City Council to devote $5 million in federal funds toward advancing health equity in the city and thanked her fellow councilmembers for their work on making it a priority to “help our most vulnerable community members.”

Dr. Jake O’Shea, Chief Medical Officer, HCA Virginia also strongly encouraged participants to get vaccinated and receive the booster shot when eligible. He provided a brief update on new CDC guidelines and how HCA Virginia is working to help keep the community safe. He also highlighted HCA’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and the establishment of HCA’s Health Equity Council to provide support to Black communities and eliminate health disparities across the system, specifically within the Richmond community.

Dr. O’Shea addressed how healthcare workers are still feeling the weight of the pandemic while noting a significant drop in community support and appreciation. He encouraged the audience to do “simple things that everybody appreciates. Just saying ‘thank you’ makes such a big difference. And whether you’re there as a patient or whether it’s a friend or a colleague or somebody you see on the street who’s clearly a healthcare worker, just thank them for their time.”

Dr. O’Shea also encouraged the audience to make the pledge to keep their holiday lights up this season through January 31, 2022 to show healthcare heroes across Virginia they still have the support of their communities. He added, “January is the darkest month of the year and many healthcare workers leave for home when it’s dark out, or leave for work when it’s dark out, and come home when it’s dark out. And seeing those lights up really shows support from their community.”