PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (October 1, 2020) – Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is supporting the public health effort to fight the COVID-19 global pandemic. The first step is education, and PVAMU’s Lawrence Trautman, J.D., is answering the call. A professor of business law and ethics in the College of Business, Trautman recently co-authored a comprehensive analysis titled “The Demographics of Death: An Early Look at COVID-19, Cultural and Racial Bias in America.”
In collaboration with U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Representative from Texas’ 30th District, Trautman drafted the document that was published on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) platform. “COVID-19 lays bare the fundamental racism in U.S. culture and public policy,” the paper says.
Lawrence Trautman, J.D.
“The research investigates the ongoing issue of race in the United States and how it affects various aspects of daily life, including income and wealth disparity; health, chronic conditions, and addiction; employment opportunities; and access to and challenges with technological opportunities,” Trautman said. “There is a widespread pattern of systematic racism and growing economic inequality. The analysis also delves into the Trump Administration and its response to the pandemic, police violence, and civil unrest, along with the critically important role of science and data during a pandemic.”
Congresswoman Johnson is one of the leading voices in Washington working to combat the pandemic. As the first African-American and woman to chair the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and a former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Johnson provides invaluable subject-matter experience to the research.
“Because of her understanding of and belief in science, in many ways, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has been engaged in writing the article for her more than 40 years in public office,” said Trautman. Her experience gives voice to the reality that the virus has a disproportionate public-health impact on communities of color.”
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Trautman and Johnson’s research was funded by a mini-grant from a summer research initiative that was spearheaded by Dean Munir Quddus in the PVAMU College of Business. “As dean of the College of Business, I have encouraged faculty to focus their research on real-world issues of relevance to the society and the community we serve,” said Quddus.
Guided by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the PVAMU College of Business aims to work collaboratively with business, community, and government entities to solve real-world problems. “Business schools can take collaborative action to positively impact learners, businesses, and global society,” said Caryn Beck-Dudley, president and chief executive officer of AACSB. “We need to be sure that we keep our eye on the post-pandemic world. It is more important than ever for business schools to be part of the solutions to society’s present-day situation.”
Through publications like The Demographics of Death, PVAMU aligns its efforts with those of the AACSB to focus on meaningful research that influences public policy. “During the pandemic of 2020, no issue is more critical and relevant than the impact of COVID-19 on the community, and in particular on the minority population,” Quddus said.
Dean Quddus selected Trautman’s research proposal as one of three initiatives aimed at investigating issues of racial injustice. “Systemic discrimination against minorities manifests in many forms, including the healthcare sector,” Quddus said. “I am confident this paper will have a measurable impact on the conversations we are having in the nation.”
Trautman and Congresswoman Johnson report several key findings from their research:
- People who are Black or Latino are three times more likely to become infected as people who are white.
- Less-wealthy Americans have far fewer options within the new normal of shelter-in-place orders, school closings, and shuttered businesses.
- The poor and other certain populations may be genetically predisposed to heart disease and diabetic issues.
- Poverty dictates cheaper diets that may be high in carbohydrates (macaroni and cheese, pasta, etc.). These diets often result in poor nutrition.
Now that the research is posted on the SSRN website, the next step is to find additional publication venues for maximum reach and impact. “We believe our contribution is important because America cannot seriously begin to correct our continued racial inequality and growing income gap until there is widespread understanding of how these conditions threaten all in American society,” said Trautman.
Click here to view “The Demographics of Death: An Early Look at COVID-19, Cultural and Racial Bias in America.”
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By Angie Frederickson