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The Ohio Department of
Health sat down with Anthony Armstrong, M.D., MPH, FACOG,
president of the Ohio State Medical Association, to discuss
COVID-19 and minority health. Dr. Armstrong has shared his
expertise on this important topic.
Dr. Armstrong, a
board-certified OB-GYN in private practice, has served as
medical director for specialty care and obstetric services
of Bon Secours Mercy Health in northwest Ohio. He previously
worked at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center where he held
various roles including chairman of the OB-GYN department,
director of medical education, and chief of staff. Dr.
Armstrong is a past president of the Toledo and Lucas County
Academy of Medicine.
Q: The information at
this point is largely anecdotal across the country but it
appears the COVID-19 fatality rate is disproportionately
impacting the African-American and Latino communities. Why
do you believe this may be the case?
A: As you said, the
information is largely anecdotal but from the start of this
crisis, before coronavirus took hold in the United States
and before it became global pandemic, there was a myth among
many in the African-American community, in particular, that
Black people could not get this virus or, worse, die from
it. I’m sure that mentality exists in Ohio and it has to
change.
Q: With April being
Minority Health Month, where might that myth or mentality be
rooted?
A: Dating back many
generations in our country, many African-Americans have
always held a general distrust of the medical system and a
distrust that medical professionals had their best interest
and best health in mind. That mentality is rooted in our
country’s prior history of racial inequality. However,
without question, things are better now but these are myths
and long-held beliefs that have not fully subsided.
Q: Should individual
states, or the federal government – in particular, the
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) – track
COVID-19 data according to race and ethnicity?
A: Absolutely. Because if
this virus is truly spreading disproportionately among
minority communities across the country then it is likely
true here in Ohio, as well. We need this data to better
understand how the virus spreads and to develop more
effective strategies to mitigate the spread while we
continue to For more information, visit:
coronavirus.ohio.gov develop effective ways to treat this
disease for those who are already sick or will become sick.
It’s clear, we’ve seen significant spikes in cities with
higher minority concentrations – New York, Detroit, New
Orleans, and Chicago. And Ohio, as we know, also has large
American cities with higher concentrations of minorities
which could warrant our attention.
Q: We know that this virus
has a more devastating impact on individuals with other
underlying conditions. Could that be a factor in what we are
seeing the minority communities?
A: Yes, to the point that
I addressed earlier. African-Americans, for example, have
higher rates of diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and
other public health ailments and statistically we are less
likely to regularly see or be under the care of a physician.
African-Americans live with these public health conditions
for a longer period before getting medical care, which could
exacerbate our overall care. What we know about COVID-19 is
that if your body is already weakened by other severe
medical concerns then this virus is likely to have a more
devastating impact on you.
Q: If there was concern
before about seeing a doctor, it’s likely heightened during
this pandemic. How can we be sure minorities and others are
still seeking medical care?
A: One thing we are
learning to use more where I work, and I know this is true
for physicians across Ohio, is telehealth. This allows us to
consult with our patients face-to-face via computer, laptops
or smartphones. And if you do not have video capabilities,
then you need to know that we can still provide effective
care via a telephone call. What are your symptoms? How are
you feeling? What is your prior medical history? These are
all questions that can be answered via telehealth and help
us as physicians provide a necessary level of care.
Telehealth has the potential of remaining a significant part
of the medical delivery system long after we have defeated
COVID-19.
Q: What is the message we
must convey to the minority communities?
A: The message is no
different than what you and Gov. DeWine have effectively and
appropriately communicated for more than a month. Without a
vaccine or known cure, our most effective strategy is to win
the war against the spread of the virus which buys
healthcare professionals and medical scientists more time to
work on effective treatments and cures that will save lives.
I implore all Ohioans – regardless of your race or ethnicity
– to adhere to the ‘Stay-At-Home’ and social distancing
orders and if you are traveling to Ohio from outside our
state, please be courteous and self-quarantine for at least
14-days before interacting with others. Might I add, I also
believe that we in the medical profession can also do more
to be sure that we make our services more accessible and
inviting. We have to look for ways to make healthcare more
accessible to everyone, especially those who the most
vulnerable among us. We know that early intervention of care
can significantly lower the chances of chronic medical care
later
Q: Thank you, Dr.
Armstrong. That is an especially strong message given that
our friends in Michigan are experiencing an outbreak and
strain on their healthcare system in Detroit. Detroit is
very close to your city of Toledo. What concerns do you have
about what is occurring in Detroit?
A.
You are correct, our proximity to Detroit is a concern. I
have colleagues and friends in the medical profession who
work both in Ohio and Michigan or live in one state and work
in the other. Our proximity to Detroit means it is a normal,
daily occurrence for people to straddle the line and go back
and forth between the two cities, two states. My message
would be as I stated before: Please respect our
‘Stay-At-Home’ and social distancing orders and please
self-quarantine. Let’s all assume that we have the virus and
must act in ways so not to infect our dearest loved ones.
Q:
And while we as physicians and healthcare professionals are
doing what we always trained to do, this pandemic has been
hard for you and your colleagues, as well, hasn’t it?
A: Yes and thank you for that question. If you work in the
medical profession then you trained and gained experience
for just these types of moments. But, like the people we
care for and our neighbors, we, too, have families. We’re
employers, so we employ individuals who depend on jobs we
provide for their livelihood. Those of us who have still
been able to see patients during this crisis worry everyday
about being infected and then unknowingly bringing it home
to our families. As president of the Ohio State Medical
Association, I’ve assured that we remain a resource for
physicians across Ohio, providing regular updates and
information about ways to help medical professionals stay
safe and still be able to provide high-quality care for our
patients.
Q: Final thoughts?
A: Just to reiterate the
messages that have already been encouraged. Practice good
hygiene. Stay home. If you have to go out, practice social
distancing. Be kind to one another. This is a significant
challenge for healthcare but it is not insurmountable. I
truly believe that most Ohioans are adhering to these rules
and guidelines and are truly making a difference in our
efforts as medical professionals to combat this virus. And,
finally, I want to send a special thank you and gratitude of
appreciation to all of my physician colleagues, nurses, and
other medical professionals on the frontlines of this
pandemic.
For additional
information, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov. For answers to your
COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).
If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to
the coronavirus pandemic, help is available. Call the
Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 (1-800-846-8517
TTY); connect with a trained counselor through the Ohio
Crisis Text Line by texting the keyword “4HOPE” to 741 741;
or call the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction
Services help line at 1-877-275-6364 to find resources in
your community
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