Racial and ethnic differences in COVID-19 hospitalizations by metropolitan status among Medicare beneficiaries, 1 January-31 December 2020.

Hospitalization rates among beneficiaries with COVID-19 and chronic conditions were not distributed equally by race/ethnicity and by metropolitan status. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners can use these findings to explore more effective ways of reducing racial/ethnic and geographic disparities among minorities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and are at highest risk of hospitalization.