The COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionate impact on communities of color have been well documented. A recent roundtable of Rutgers University experts and advocates said the difficulties women of color — particularly immigrants — experience in getting care and financial aid is having a devastating impact on their communities.
Andrea Hertling, a chancellor scholar and director of the public policy program at the Bloustein School, said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been uneven across the state.
“Certain groups (are experiencing worse economic and health outcomes),” she said. “The severe negative impact of the pandemic on immigrant women is made worse by barriers to accessing financial support — support needed to make healthy choices for both their families and their communities.”