Black People Narrate Inequalities in Healthcare Systems that Hinder COVID-19 Vaccination: Evidence from the USA and the UK.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented global health emergency. As a novel condition, there is no known definitive treatment for the condition, except for the use of vaccines as a control measure. In the literature, the issue of inequalities in healthcare systems has been documented as a hindrance to COVID-19 vaccination; however, the specific inequalities in healthcare systems that hinder COVID-19 vaccination are poorly understood. Guided by the fundamental cause theory (FCT), this study aims to address this gap among Black people, a minority group vulnerable to inequalities in healthcare systems. Thirty-five Black people (age range = 21-58 years) residing in either the United States of America (USA) or the United Kingdom (UK) participated in this study. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed using thematic analysis. Most USA participants and a few UK participants narrated that no inequalities in healthcare systems hinder them from receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Contrarily, most UK participants and a few USA participants narrated inequalities in healthcare systems that hinder them from receiving COVID-19 vaccines. These are mistrust of the healthcare system, health policies regarding COVID-19 vaccination, historical factors (such as historical abuse of Black bodies by health professionals), residential location, and dissatisfaction with health services. In terms of what governments must do to correct these inequalities, participants recommended the need for acknowledgment and community engagement. This is the first international collaboration to examine this problem. Important implications for theory, healthcare systems, and COVID-19 vaccination program planning are highlighted. Finally, there are members of other minority groups and vulnerable communities who are not Black people. Such groups could face unique inequalities that hinder COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, future studies should include such groups.