Addressing Rehabilitation Health Care Disparities During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and expanded upon preexisting health care dispar-ities. Individuals with intellectual, development, and physical disabilities have been disproportionately adversely impacted by this pandemic with higher fatality rates. People of racial/ethnic minority groups have also had disproportionately higher rates of acute infection, hospitalization, re-admission, and death.1-9,15,16 These inequities are likely present in the proportions of individuals impacted by PASC infection and requiring specialized rehabilitation care. Special populations including pregnant, pedi-atric, and older individuals may also necessitate tailored medical care. The advance-ment of telemedicine should be capitalized on to benefit these populations as this modality may increase accessibility and help reduce the care gap. Dedicated research and further clinical guidance are needed to provide equitable, culturally competent, and individualized care to these historically marginalized and underrepresented populations.