Leadership for Healthy People and Communities

05/06/2020

COVID-19 Ask the Expert: Anthony J. Armstrong, M.D., MPH, FACOG

COVID-19 Ask the Expert: Anthony J. Armstrong, M.D., MPH, FACOG, President of the Ohio State Medical Association on Minority Health

Protecting Against COVID-19

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: 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 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.

For more info visit: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/resources/general-resources/covid-19-ask-the-expert-anthony-j-armstrong