African American COVID-19 mortality: a sentinel event.
The authors of this editorial discuss the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on African Americans and highlight ways in which the pandemic has exacerbated existing disparities in cardiovascular disease and systematic failures in the health care system. The authors propose several actions to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and work towards addressing existing disparities and underlying structural factors, including targeted testing in housing environments with limited ability to socially isolate, encouraging team-approach telemedicine, and supporting low-cost or free online physical activities.