The Impact of COVID-19 on Black Women

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“Black women comprise just over half of the Black population, are one of the most influential and active voting blocs in the U.S., and are heads of household in almost 30% of all Black households, which is more than twice the rate for all women … it is vital that we understand what they are thinking, feeling and experiencing as a result of the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.”

~ Richelieu Dennis, founder and chair of Essence Ventures, parent company of ESSENCE

Statistical data on the impact of COVID-19 on Black women

Black women are:

• At an increased risk for serious illness if they contract COVID-19 due to higher rates of underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and obesity compared to Whites;

• More likely to be uninsured and to lack a usual source of care which is an impediment to accessing COVID-19 testing and treatment services;

• More likely to work in the service industries such as restaurants, retail, and hospitality that are particularly at risk for loss of income during the pandemic;

• More likely to live in housing situations, such as multigenerational families or low-income and public housing that make it difficult to social distance or self-isolate; and

• Often working in jobs that are not amenable to teleworking and use public transportation that puts them at risk for exposure to COVID-19.

Source: (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020; Health Affairs, 2020)

  • 22% of Black Women feel like they can’t talk about the impact the pandemic is having on them or people in their community

  • Black women are 2.5 times more likely to report the death of a loved one, yet 1.5 times more likely to feel uncomfortable sharing their grief or loss

  • 42% feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts about racial inequity

Source: Women in the Workplace, conducted by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org, is a study on the state of women in corporate America, based on data from 317 companies employing more than 12 million people.

  • One in four (24%) Black Woman personally knows someone who has died from COVID-19

  • 44% personally know someone who has contracted it

  • Black women say the pandemic has most negatively impacted their

    • Emotional well-being (64%)

    • Mental health (63%)

    • Physical health (43%)

  • Just over one- third (34%) of Black women say the pandemic has had a negative impact on family relationships

  • On the positive side, 83% of Black Women plan to spend more quality family time post-pandemic

Source: ESSENCE’s Impact of COVID-19 on Black Women study.