This retrospective cohort study found that 76.9% of the patients who were hospitalized with Covid-19 and 70.6% of those who died were black, whereas blacks comprise only 31% of the Ochsner Health population (in Louisiana.)
- Study occurred within a integrated-delivery health system between March 1 and April 11, 2020, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2
- A total of 3626 patients tested positive, of whom 145 were excluded (84 had missing data on race or ethnic group, 9 were Hispanic, and 52 were Asian or of another race or ethnic group)
- Black patients were almost twice as likely to live in low-income areas as white patients (33.9% vs 60.5%). Black patients had higher prevalences of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease than white patients.
- Black race was associated with approximately twice the odds of hospital admission as white race (odds ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62 to 2.37).
- In addition, increasing age, a higher score on the Charlson Comorbidity Index, public insurance (Medicare or Medicaid), residence in a low-income area, and obesity were associated with an increased odds of admission, whereas female sex was associated with lower odds of admission.
- Among the 326 patients who died from Covid-19, 70.6% were black. However, black race was not independently associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio for death vs. white race, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 1.17).
