- Published: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 08:59 AM
NAPERVILLE – The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the health inequities facing communities throughout Illinois. The Health Equity Response Team of the DuPage County Health Department has been awarded funding to implement health equity strategies, State Senators Laura Ellman and Suzy Glowiak Hilton announced.
“The COVID-19 pandemic increased health disparities and inequalities in our most vulnerable communities,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “It is important that community organizations such as the Health Equity and Response Team within DuPage County Public Health are empowered to help close the gap.”
Making up 14% of the DuPage County population the positive case rate for Latinx DuPage County residents was five times higher than non-Latinx residents. For Black DuPage County residents, the positive case rate was nearly two-and-a-half times higher than the positive case rate for white residents despite Black residents being 4.8% of the county population. Established in October 2020, HEART works with community agencies to reduce the disproportionate effects of COVID-19. HEART is one of the 18 organizations across Illinois awarded funding to address systemic health disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.