Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

October 12, 2020

Geographic Variation of Racial Disparities in Health and COVID-19 Mortality

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  • The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was reported to be three-fold higher among Black individuals in the US compared to white individuals, and the crude mortality was two-fold higher. However, the infection-fatality-ratio was similar between Black and white individuals. There was a higher prevalence of comorbidities (63% vs 55%) and adverse socioeconomic factors (47% vs 31%) for Black individuals compared to white individuals. The prevalence of preexisting medical conditions was similar among both groups, while the prevalence of poor health behaviors was higher in white individuals (57% vs. 50%). Within racial groups, the geographic distribution of health determinants did not correlate with state-level COVID-19 mortality and infection-fatality ratio.

Parcha et al. (Oct 2020). Geographic Variation of Racial Disparities in Health and COVID-19 Mortality. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2020.09.005