CEOs of six nonprofit organizations and associations announced Thursday morning a vaccine equity and education initiative to address racial imbalances in prevention of COVID-19.

"It is more important than ever to raise our collective voices to combat this horrible virus," said Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities. "And to showcase accurate information, which is so important about COVID-19 and the vaccines.

"Black Americans have nearly three times higher risk of hospitalization and two times risk of death from COVID-19," he said.

African Americans have historically been underserved by the health care system, and in some cases been abused by it, as during the 1932-1972 Tuskegee Study on syphilis. Black men enrolled in the study were not offered treatment for the disease.

Partly for such reasons, the CEOs said, many African Americans distrust the health system and show a low interest in the COVID-19 vaccines. And historical inequities in access to the health care system have contributed to Blacks being disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins said less than 5% of Black Americans have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

"AARP has been trying to make sure that the vaccination is free, that people have the information they need about the vaccine and we're continuing to advocate at the state, local and national levels to make sure that the vaccine is available and equitable," she said. "We need to make sure that we are putting those vaccination hubs in places that serves people of color."

Tracey Brown, CEO of the American Diabetes Association, noted that only 35% of African Americans surveyed say they have gotten or will get vaccinated. And those with diabetes—such as herself—are at much greater risk than others.

"We've launched our Health Equity Now platform, because we've got to lean in together to make sure that we are getting the vaccine to the places that need the vaccine, that we continue to work to make sure that you can affordably get everything that you need as a person living with diabetes," Brown said.

Also participating in the news conference were Arthur Evans, CEO of the American Psychological Association, and Marc Ott, executive director of International City/County Management Association. The YMCA of the USA also is participating, but CEO Kevin Washington could not attend the conference.

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