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. 2022 Mar 25;80(1):93.
doi: 10.1186/s13690-022-00858-7.

Population distribution by ethnicities and the disparities in health risk and coping in the United States during the pandemic: the spatial and time dynamics

Jiannan Li  1 , Xinmeng Wang  2 , Bocong Yuan  3
Affiliations

Population distribution by ethnicities and the disparities in health risk and coping in the United States during the pandemic: the spatial and time dynamics

Jiannan Li et al. Arch Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: As a multi-ethnic country, the US is increasingly concerned about ethnic minorities facing disproportionate health risks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study attempted to provide a macro picture of the associations between population distribution by ethnicity and the vulnerability to COVID-19 in terms of infection risk and vaccination coverage in the US.

Methods: This study used multi-source data from New York Times, County Health Rankings & Roadmap Program (2020), and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Multiple linear regressions were performed at equidistant time points (May 2020-Jan 2021, with one-month interval between each time point) to reveal the association between population distribution by ethnicities and the infection risk and the dynamics over time. Besides, multiple linear regressions were also conducted at equidistant time points (Jan 2021-Aug 2021) to reveal whether health disparities between ethnicities would hold true for the COVID-19 vaccination coverage (in total population, and among those > 12, > 18, and > 65 years of age).

Results: Both the COVID-19 confirmed cases (population standardized) and the vaccination coverage (in total population, and among those > 12, > 18, and > 65 years of age) were significantly associated with the population distribution by ethnicity (e.g., population percentage of ethnic minorities). Above associations were statistically significant for non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, but not for Asian Americans.

Conclusions: A proportion of socioeconomically-disadvantageous population could be a key intuitive reflection of the risk level of this public health crisis. The policy focusing on the vulnerable population is important in this pandemic.

Keywords: Ethnic minorities; Health risk; Pandemic; Population distribution; Vaccination coverage.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors of this study has no competing interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The distribution of COVID-19 cases on 28th May 2020—28th Jan 2021 (1A—1I)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The distribution of vaccination coverage (for total population) on 25th Jan 2021—25th Aug 2021(2A—2H)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The distribution of vaccination coverage (for > 12 years old) on 25th Jan 2021—25th Aug 2021(3A—3H)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The distribution of vaccination coverage (for > 18 years old) on 25th Jan 2021—25th Aug 2021(4A—4H)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The distribution of vaccination coverage (for > 65 years old) on 25th Jan 2021—25th Aug 2021(5A—5H)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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