×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Fighting To Breathe: Stories of Covid-19

Newest video in Covid-19 series explores Covid and inequality in America

News

Covid-19

Dr. Khadijah Lang, president of the Golden State Medical Association, stands in front of a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Los Angeles. (Direct Relief)
Dr. Khadijah Lang, president of the Golden State Medical Association, stands in front of a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Los Angeles. (Direct Relief)
By Noah Smith

One in 800 Black Americans has died during this pandemic, compared to 1 in 1,325 white Americans and 1 in 1,925 Asian Americans, according to APM Research Lab. Black Americans are also three times more likely than white Americans to become infected.

The toll on minority communities, especially among Black, Latino, and Native Americans, as well as economically disadvantaged communities, has been disproportionate, and reflects health inequities that existed prior to Covid-19.

In response, Direct Relief has provided more than $43 million in grants and 1,150 tons of requested medical resources since the pandemic began to nonprofit health centers and clinics in medically underserved communities throughout the U.S.

Direct Relief’s latest video in the Covid-19 series goes past the numbers and shares the stories of people who have dealt with the virus firsthand — while simultaneously trying to fight discrimination on various fronts. Helping them through the struggle were doctors and other health care providers from community health centers, a network of safety net health care facilities in the U.S. that treat everyone who comes through their doors, regardless of ability to pay.

Kiya Johnson, a cosmetologist, was forced to self-treat initially, after staff at a local hospital told her not to come. Johnson said she took as much flu medicine as she could in order to cope with the symptoms by herself at home.

Derek White lost his father to the virus after he was admitted to a hospital, but was not treated for Covid-19. His mother was also admitted, but he and his family decided to get her out, opting to seek treatment with her primary care doctor instead.

Physicians and community health center executive leaders Dr. Derrick Butler of the To Help Everyone Clinic and Dr. Khadijah Lang of the Western Women’s Medical Clinic (and president of the Golden State Medical Association) spoke about how these stories represent the inequities within the U.S. health care system — and how they are working to bring better outcomes to their communities.

“All we want is equality, and we’ve been screaming that for decades,” White said.

The video was directed by Emmy-nominated editor Olly Riley-Smith, whose previous video in the series was a finalist for Best Storytelling in this year’s Shorty Awards.

For more on Direct Relief’s work to improve health equity in the U.S., click here. 

Filed Under: , , , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.