Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

November 24, 2020

Socio-Economic Status and COVID-19–Related Cases and Fatalities

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An analysis of US county-level COVID-19 data and a Distressed Communities Index (DCI) score (n=3,127 counties) found that severely distress counties (DCI score >75) had a small total number of COVID-19 deaths but more deaths per capita. Socio-economic determinants of health most associated with higher per capita cases and fatalities were the percentage of adults without a high school degree and proportion of Black residents. The percentage of the population aged older than 65 years was also strongly associated with higher per capita fatalities. 

Hawkins et al. (Oct 17, 2020). Socio-Economic Status and COVID-19–Related Cases and Fatalities. Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.09.016