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Exacerbating Inequalities: Social Networks, Racial/Ethnic Disparities, and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States
[Social networks among blacks and whites: The interaction between race and age]

Author

Listed:
  • Gertrude R Gauthier
  • Jeffrey A Smith
  • Catherine García
  • Marc A Garcia
  • Patricia A Thomas
  • Deborah S Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesThe disruption and contraction of older adults’ social networks are among the less discussed consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to provide an evidence-based commentary on racial/ethnic disparities in social network resources and draw attention to the ways in which disasters differentially affect social networks, with meaningful insight for the ongoing pandemic.MethodsWe draw upon prior research on social networks and past natural disasters to identify major areas of network inequality. Attention is given to how pre-pandemic racial/ethnic network disparities are exacerbated during the current crisis, with implications for physical and mental health outcomes.ResultsEvidence from the literature shows a robust association between strong social networks and physical and mental health outcomes. During times of crisis, access to social networks for older adults is disrupted, particularly for marginalized groups. We document pre-pandemic disparities in social networks resources and offer insight for examining the impact of COVID-19 on disrupting social networks among older adults.DiscussionImportantly, racial/ethnic disparities in social networks both prior to and as a result of the pandemic intensify existing inequalities and demonstrate the necessity of better understanding social network inequalities for marginalized older adults, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Gertrude R Gauthier & Jeffrey A Smith & Catherine García & Marc A Garcia & Patricia A Thomas & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "Exacerbating Inequalities: Social Networks, Racial/Ethnic Disparities, and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States [Social networks among blacks and whites: The interaction between race and age]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(3), pages 88-92.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:3:p:e88-e92.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ariane Bertogg & Sebastian Koos, 2022. "Who Received Informal Social Support During the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Germany, and Who Did Not? The Role of Social Networks, Life Course and Pandemic-Specific Risks," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 585-607, September.
    2. Zander S. Venter & Adam Sadilek & Charlotte Stanton & David N. Barton & Kristin Aunan & Sourangsu Chowdhury & Aaron Schneider & Stefano Maria Iacus, 2021. "Mobility in Blue-Green Spaces Does Not Predict COVID-19 Transmission: A Global Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Williams, Khandideh K.A. & Evans, Charlotte & Mazaniello-Chézol, Maud & Adams, Alayne M., 2024. "Mitigating mental health and wellbeing challenges among young populations: A scan of youth-led initiatives across Canada to inform psychosocial program development," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    4. Yusen Zhai & Xue Du, 2022. "Disparities and intersectionality in social support networks: addressing social inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-5, December.
    5. Irena L. C. Connon & Alexandra Crampton & Christopher Dyer & Rita Xiaochen Hu, 2024. "Social Disability as Disaster: Case Studies of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People Living with Disabilities," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-29, April.

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