Do you mean disorders like sickle cell? Wouldn’t that explain African American populations getting hit hard, in addition to socio-economic/diet related issues?
My thinking is that it would make you more susceptible. My blood already has oxygen issues.
However, a commentor brought up Ferrara Italy that has a high degree of people with thalessemia. That area has been studied as it relates to other diseases and thalessemia
The comment claimed that Ferrara does not have the same fatal results as other areas in Northern Italy. I did a quick search and found one site claiming no deaths but not really sure if that is correct.