The Toxic Stress of Racism and Its Relationship to Frailty.

Significant morbidity and mortality from COVID-19-related illnesses have been observed among people of color within the United States. While theories involving healthcare inequity and political division have emerged to explain this observation, the role of chronic stress and inflammation is also being explored. Toxic stress is experienced disproportionately by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and increases frailty and vulnerability to diseases such as COVID-19.