The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Utah Multicultural Commission & the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, have prepared a report that provides insight into the unique impact COVID-19 has had on Utah's underserved and underrepresented communities.

Our hope is that we can work together to ensure that this crisis does not exacerbate existing inequities by reducing risks and burdens often borne disproportionately by marginalized groups.

To address disproportionate case counts and identify ways to center equity in crisis-response, Governor Gary R. Herbert convened a Multicultural Advisory Committee, a main recommendation from the said a report released by the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, entitled “Local Needs Among Utah’s Multicultural Communities”.

This six-month overview summarizes the Multicultural Advisory Committee’s approach to addressing the disparate impact of COVID-19 on communities that have also suffered from historic disinvestment and structural inequity. We believe that the state can move forward creating model practices, particularly during times of emergencies, that are culturally inclusive and considerate of all people in Utah.

This report is a continuation of the “Local Needs Among Utah’s Multicultural Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic” report released by the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs (MCA) in April of 2020.

It is the result of a collaborative effort between MCA and the University of Utah - College of Architecture & Planning. Information provided in the report was collected by university students who conducted interviews with frontline service providers in order to gather data about the experiences and challenges that Utah’s multicultural communities are facing. The purpose of this report is to provide further and ongoing insight into the immediate needs and unique barriers faced by marginalized communities during the COVID-19 outbreak to inform state leaders and solve concerns through a systemic and equity-centered approach.