, comprising 14 percent of U.S. children but with 20 percent of those losing a parent to COVID-19.
This disparity exists largely due to a lack of available access to healthcare, financial support, and parental support that families of color — particularly Black families — receive in the U.S. Researchers note that “sweeping national reforms are needed to address the health, educational, and economic fallout affecting children,” including immediate, short-term and long-term support for children who have lost a parent due to the virus.
This data should serve as a stark reminder that each loss due to COVID-19 is a profound one, and that the pandemic isn’t over just because more Americans are receiving vaccines each day. Kids need just as much support as adults do during this time, especially if they’ve lost a parent or other family member to the virus.