Black residents in Nueces County have higher rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death, along with lower vaccination rates. The disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on the Black community has shed light on the long-standing health disparities faced by Black residents in the county. 

In an effort to expose these health disparities, Nueces County released the groundbreaking report “Advancing Health Equity in Nueces County: Amid and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic” in June 2021. The health inequities revealed by the report are nothing new and did not surprise Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales. “Prior to analyzing the report, we had an idea about the inequities present in the county…but we lacked the data needed to confirm the disparities and to show us who needed the most help and attention” Judge Canales stated in an Island Waves interview in July 2021. 

The Health Equity Report includes eye-opening data on the health issues plaguing minority groups across the county at disproportionate rates. According to the report, Black and Hispanic residents face the highest chronic disease rates in Nueces County with high rates of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and obesity. Additionally, Black residents have higher rates of infant mortality, child mortality, and premature mortality than all other county residents. Texas Health Institute experts contribute the disproportionate rates of COVID-19 infection in Black residents to these factors. However, despite Black residents having higher rates of COVID-19 infection and deaths, Nueces County ZIP codes with higher concentrations of Black residents (78402, 78407, and 78406) are among the locations with the lowest vaccination rates. 

Deep-rooted inequities in social determinants of health are a major contributor to these COVID-19 related health disparities, according to Deborah Bryant RN, LCSW and Global Health/Health Disparities TAMU-CC Adjunct professor. “Discrimination, racial bias, and lack of access to quality healthcare, education, food, and housing contribute to inequities and a lower quality of life.” Bryant stated. 

According to the CDC, social factors, such as a lack of access to health insurance and quality housing and education, directly contributed to minority groups being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The Health Equity Report revealed that 24% of Black residents lack insurance within the county. Additionally, Black residents have higher rates of households and children living below poverty, lower median incomes, and lower numbers of individuals completing high school. The Health Equity Report contributes these findings to America’s deep history of discriminatory policies, such as redlining and residential segregation, which have created a long-term impact on minority communities.

Although reducing health inequities is a complex task, county officials have outlined a plan to create a more equitable county. “By increasing accessibility to COVID-19 vaccines and testing, medical information, mental health resources, healthy food, and transportation, we as a community can work to reduce these disparities. We have to recognize that we are all one people, regardless of our skin color or ethnicity. The honor of one is the honor of all, and the injury of one is the injury of all” Bryant stated.