March 12, 2021

The Association of COVID-19 Risk Perception, County Death Rates, and Voluntary Health Behaviors among U.S. Adult Population

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Mental Health and Personal Impact

Keywords (Tags): mental health personal impact, public health communications

• Analysis of an online survey (n=672 participants) across multiple US states found that participants living in counties with high COVID-19 death rates (>17 deaths per 100,000) had a higher risk perception compared to participants living in counties with a low county death rates (≤5 deaths per 100,000). No difference was observed in overall COVID-19 risk perception between counties with moderate and low death rates. After adjusting for potential confounders, increased COVID-19 risk perception was associated with increased time spent at home (OR=1.12). 

Elharake et al. (Mar 10, 2021). The Association of COVID-19 Risk Perception, County Death Rates, and Voluntary Health Behaviors among U.S. Adult Population. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiab131