Many factors contribute to the vast health disparities reported in COVID-19 for obese people and multiple Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups. Out of the many contributing biological, socioeconomic and behavioral factors, Organic & Natural Health Association said that one of these risk factors, vitamin D deficiency, could rapidly be reversed if more health education was disseminated to key communities. As part of its mission to advance nutrient research and educate the public to take charge of their health, Organic & Natural Health has set a grassroots education campaign in motion called, “Get On My Level,” that will highlight the proven health benefits of vitamin D. It will also encourage people in communities most at risk to know their vitamin D level by either asking their doctor or measuring and monitoring their own levels at home using a test kit and vitamin D calculator from Organic & Natural Health research partner, GrassrootsHealth, to determine how much vitamin D is needed in order to reach the desired therapeutic levels of 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).

In an article by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Outcomes of COVID-19: disparities in obesity and by ethnicity/race,” vitamin D deficiency is identified as an important biologic hypothesis for observed associations between ethnicity, obesity and worse COVID-19 outcomes. The researchers stated that vitamin D supplementation in randomized, placebo-controlled studies has demonstrated reduced risk for acute respiratory tract infection. Associations between vitamin D deficiency and acute respiratory distress syndrome have also been reported. With the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. population being the highest with Blacks (82.1 percent), followed by Hispanics (69.2 percent) and obesity, poor health status, hypertension and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels all being reported as compacting factors, the NIH reported vitamin D deficiency as being one plausible explanation for a higher COVID-19 burden in these groups.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) confirmed that long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19, stating, “To achieve health equity, barriers must be removed so that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible.” Some of the factors the CDC lists as putting racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19 include: discrimination, health care access and utilization, occupation, housing, education, income and wealth gaps. A newly published article in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation concluded that vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Data analysis by the working group of Dr. Prabowo Raharusun showed a correlation of COVID-19 death rates based on vitamin D levels. The retrospective review shows that a vitamin D level of 19 ng/ml or less equals a death rate of 100 percent, while vitamin D levels of 34 ng/ml or higher equals a 0 percent death rate from COVID-19. Additionally, a retrospective study found COVID-19 ICU patients had higher rates of vitamin D deficiency compared to other admits.

As part of its grassroots effort, Organic & Natural Health has re-launched its www.PowerofD.org website with the “Get On My Level” challenge, which includes validated health facts on vitamin D; statistics on vitamin D levels and COVID-19 outcomes; educational materials to share on social media; and an easy-to-use vitamin D calculator to monitor and improve your vitamin D levels. Links to at-home vitamin D test kits are available on the site from GrassrootsHealth, or simply ask your doctor to test your vitamin D levels. Currently 40-75 percent of the world’s population and nearly 90 percent of all Americans are vitamin D deficient.