Exacerbating Inequalities: Social Networks, Racial/Ethnic Disparities, and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
; 76(3): e88-e92, 2021 02 17.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32756978
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The disruption and contraction of older adults' social networks are among the less discussed consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to provide an evidence-based commentary on racial/ethnic disparities in social network resources and draw attention to the ways in which disasters differentially affect social networks, with meaningful insight for the ongoing pandemic.METHODS:
We draw upon prior research on social networks and past natural disasters to identify major areas of network inequality. Attention is given to how pre-pandemic racial/ethnic network disparities are exacerbated during the current crisis, with implications for physical and mental health outcomes.RESULTS:
Evidence from the literature shows a robust association between strong social networks and physical and mental health outcomes. During times of crisis, access to social networks for older adults is disrupted, particularly for marginalized groups. We document pre-pandemic disparities in social networks resources and offer insight for examining the impact of COVID-19 on disrupting social networks among older adults.DISCUSSION:
Importantly, racial/ethnic disparities in social networks both prior to and as a result of the pandemic intensify existing inequalities and demonstrate the necessity of better understanding social network inequalities for marginalized older adults, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Social Isolation
/
Socioeconomic Factors
/
Black or African American
/
Aging
/
Hispanic or Latino
/
Social Networking
/
COVID-19
/
Minority Groups
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Equity_inequality
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Journal subject:
CIENCIAS SOCIAIS
/
GERIATRIA
/
PSICOLOGIA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article