Top 5 Takeaways

1. Disparities in Monoclonal Antibody Treatment: Black, Asian, and Hispanic patients received monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments significantly less often than White and non-Hispanic patients.
2. Inpatient Treatment Differences: Disparities in the use of remdesivir and dexamethasone were smaller compared to mAb treatments, with Black inpatients receiving remdesivir more often than White inpatients.
3. Overall Low mAb Usage: The overall use of mAb treatments was infrequent, with mean monthly use at 4% or less for all racial and ethnic groups.
4. Systemic Factors Influencing Disparities: Factors such as access to testing, healthcare availability, insurance coverage, and potential biases in prescribing practices contribute to the observed disparities.
5. Need for Equitable Treatment Access: Equitable receipt of COVID-19 treatments and preventive measures is essential to reduce racial and ethnic inequities in severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Jennifer L. Wiltz, igc2@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Wiltz JL, Feehan AK, Molinari NM, et al. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receipt of Medications for Treatment of COVID-19 — United States, March 2020–August 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:96–102. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7103e1

Summary

This study analyzed data from 41 healthcare systems participating in the PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, to assess the receipt of COVID-19 treatments by race and ethnicity. The findings revealed significant racial and ethnic disparities in the use of monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments, with Black, Asian, and Hispanic patients receiving these treatments less frequently than White and non-Hispanic patients. Disparities in the use of inpatient treatments like remdesivir and dexamethasone were smaller. The study underscores the need for equitable access to COVID-19 treatments to reduce severe outcomes among minority groups.

Methods

The study utilized electronic health record data from 41 U.S. healthcare systems, covering the period from March 2020 to August 2021. The monthly percentage of patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result who received mAb, dexamethasone, or remdesivir was calculated by race and ethnicity. Pairwise Wilcoxon signed rank tests and t-tests were used to assess systematic temporal differences and relative monthly treatment disparities. Statistical significance was determined for p-values <0.05.

Discussion

The study found significant disparities in mAb treatment among racial and ethnic minority groups, which could be attributed to factors like limited access to healthcare, insurance coverage, and potential biases in prescribing practices. Inpatient treatment disparities were less pronounced, possibly due to the easier access to medications in hospital settings. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable treatment access and reduce severe COVID-19 outcomes among minority groups.

Conclusion

Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 treatment requires awareness, resources, and coordinated efforts from government, private entities, and community organizations. Strategies to improve equitable access to outpatient treatments like mAb and antiviral medications are essential to reduce severe COVID-19 outcomes and promote health equity.

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