Exploring Social Determinants of Health in Communities of Color

By Patricia E. Alvoet, EdD, MSN, RN-BC

For many years, Texas Nurses Association District 8 has incorporated an educational session with our annual meeting. This year, we wanted to focus on a practice issue related to COVID-19. Because the pandemic has magnified the impact of social determinants of health, we wanted to explore implications for vulnerable populations including communities of color. The chair of the education committee, M. Danielle Gunter PhD, RN, CPN, collaborated with public health nursing colleagues to consider potential speakers. Lisa A. Campbell, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, was identified as a highly respected local expert. We reached out and were thrilled that she accepted our invitation.

The Intersection of Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 in Communities of Color (available online), provided stark information on the impact of this pandemic at every level. To highlight a few key points, Dr. Campbell provided morbidity and mortality data linked with race/ethnicity both in Bexar County and the United States. Data reveals significant disparities. She emphasized that we can no longer ignore structural racism; policy changes are needed.

Dr. Campbell challenged us to begin with self-reflection to identify our own implicit unconscious biases. She also encouraged us to engage in difficult but necessary conversations about racism. In her closing comments, she asked us to think about who is sitting at our dinner table. More specifically, we should consider whether we have meaningful relationships with people who are different from us, whether the difference is race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

TNA District 8 sincerely thanks Dr. Campbell for this scholarly, thought-provoking discussion. In lieu of a speaker gift, a donation was made to the San Antonio Food Bank. District 8 would also like to thank Belinda Richey, Laura Lang and the TNA team for facilitating our first virtual annual meeting. We hope you will watch this wonderful presentation.