As the COVID-19 outbreak intensifies in America, concerns are being raised about how racial inequities in our healthcare system will exacerbate the risks for minority communities. African Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, conditions the CDC has identified as “high-risk” for serious complications from coronavirus. For minorities who live in low income areas, those risks are further compounded by lack of access to healthy food and quality healthcare. Tom's next guest is a social scientist who has studied disparities in the health system. Dr. David R. Williams is a professor of Public Health and African and African-American Studies at Harvard University. He joins us on the phone from Boston.