Michigan sees racial disparities in monkeypox cases - Axios DetroitLog InLog InAxios Detroit is an Axios company.

Michigan sees disparity in monkeypox cases

Data: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Census; Chart: Axios VisualsMichigan has a worse racial disparity in monkeypox (MPV) cases than the nation at large. Driving the news: Black Michiganders make up 56% of cases as of Monday where race was reported despite being just 14% of the state's population, per state data provided to Axios. Nationally, Black Americans accounted for 31.1% of cases with race reported while making up 12.4% of the U.S. population, and the disparity is . Context: While MPV infections are currently during sex between men, anyone can get the virus. But it's who face an inequitable health care system that has historically failed to . Catch up quick: Symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder and , though has been reported. It's spread through close, skin-to-skin contact.Vaccines are available through , other health departments and LGBTQ+ centers. By the numbers: Michigan reports 257 total monkeypox cases, with Detroit seeing the most — 86. Oakland County is second with 44. Of Michiganders getting monkeypox, 98% are men, per the state. Of those who reported sexuality, 93% identified as men who have sex with men. As of mid-September, 7,698 total vaccine doses were administered. Detroit-specific statistics are not available. Yes, but: Michigan still has compared with other states like New York (3,810), Illinois (1,263) and Pennsylvania (713). Zoom in: Detroit responded quickly to the outbreak by focusing on those most at-risk, Claudia Richardson, the city's medical director, tells Axios. The city coordinated with the state and allied with LGBTQ+ partners, including bath house Body Zone.A challenge is providing resources without increasing shame or stigma after the legacy of . Details: Michigan is applying for more vaccines to help address these disparities through a , the state Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement to Axios. The big picture: The prevalence in Black and Latino communities mirrors problems faced with , Dave Garcia, executive director of Ferndale's LGBTQ+ community center Affirmations, tells Axios. What they're saying: "We still lack accessible education opportunities regarding infection protection," Curtis Lipscomb, executive director of LGBT Detroit, tells Axios. The nonprofit addresses monkeypox in for Black and brown queer men and hosted two vaccination clinics. A lack of keen attention to monkeypox has meant it's "left to the people who are most at-risk to think about how we're going to protect ourselves from transmission," Lipscomb says. Editor's note: This story was corrected to note Claudia Richardson is the city's medical director, not deputy director of public health. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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