This issue brief examines COVID-19 case rates in New York City and associations between COVID-19, chronic disease burden, socioeconomic factors, and primary care access to define the role of primary care in the response to the pandemic.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened inequities in health outcomes and access to care across the United States. In the virus’ epicenter, New York City neighborhoods with higher rates of chronic disease and a higher proportion of black and low-income residents have disproportionately high rates of COVID-19. Many of these same neighborhoods also have poor access to primary care. However, need for primary care is expected to increase significantly following the pandemic, particularly in the communities with disparities in acute and chronic illness. Rapid and responsible investment in the primary care system will play a critical role in mitigating the growth of health disparities in NYC, helping ensure recovery and resiliency in these communities.