Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 9, 2021

Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Testing and Outcomes

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Race was the strongest predictor of having a positive SARS-CoV-2 test in a retrospective cohort of 91,212 adults undergoing testing for SARS-CoV-2. In a multivariate model that incorporated age, sex, neighborhood deprivation index and race, race had the biggest contribution (80%) to the likelihood of infection. While adjusted testing rates among non-white persons were marginally higher compared with white persons, infection rates were significantly higher. For African American persons, Hispanic persons, Asian persons, and persons of other/unknown race, risk of infection was 2-fold, 4-fold, 2-fold and 2-fold higher compared to white persons, respectively. The cohort was drawn from the Kaiser integrated health care system. 

Escobar et al. (Feb 9, 2021). Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Testing and Outcomes. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-6979