Dr. Joneigh Khaldun named to Biden-Harris task force

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden announced today that Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, among others, has been named to his COVID-19 task force.

Khaldun will serve as one of twelve non-federal members of the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. This task force is set to provide recommendations for addressing health inequities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and for preventing such inequities in the future.

“The virus has had a disproportionate impact on our most vulnerable communities, including communities of color,” Khaldun says on the nomination. “I look forward to making contributions as part of this task force that will ensure that future pandemic responses do not ignore or exacerbate health inequities.”

In a statement announcing the members of the task force, the White House explains these inequities.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague the country, it has had a disproportionate impact on some of our most vulnerable communities,” the statement reads. “Shortly after COVID-19 was first identified in the United States, disparities in testing, cases, hospitalizations, and mortality began to emerge. These inequities were quickly evident by race, ethnicity, geography, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors.”

Khaldun will remain in position as Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive while serving the Biden administration.