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Med School’s Scott Frank and Mark Cameron discuss divides highlighted by coronavirus

The Pandemic Will Cleave America in Two

The Atlantic: Scott Frank, an associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, commented on the inequalities in the United States that leave some people more vulnerable to the new coronavirus, including poverty, low levels of education, and racial segregation. “Each of these has been demonstrated to have independent effects on chronic-disease mortality and morbidity,” said Frank. “We know these social and economic conditions have a profound effect on chronic disease, and then chronic disease has a profound effect on the mortality related to COVID.” Mark Cameron, an associate professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, addressed disparities in access to up-to-date medical recommendations: “With this particular pandemic, the guidelines are changing so quickly that immediate access to good information is absolutely required and absolutely at risk with access issues and not being online permanently.”