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Pandemic Meets Endemic: The Role of Social Inequalities and Failing Public Health Policies as Drivers of Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality among White, Black, and Hispanic Communities in the United States of America

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  • Lorraine Frisina Doetter

    (Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1342 & Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy (SOCIUM), The University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Pasquale G. Frisina

    (University Health Services, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA)

  • Benedikt Preuß

    (Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy (SOCIUM), The University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic placed the United States of America (U.S.) under enormous strain, leaving it with higher deaths during the first wave of the outbreak compared to all other advanced economies. Blacks and Hispanics were among those hardest hit by the virus—a fact attributed to enduring problems related to the social determinants of health adversely affecting Communities of Color (CoC). In this study, we ask which distinct factors relating to policy stringency and community vulnerability influenced COVID-19 mortality among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics during the first year of the pandemic. To address this question, we utilized a mix of correlational and regression analyses. Findings point to the highly divergent impact of public policy and vulnerability on COVID-19 mortality. Specifically, we observed that state-led measures aimed at controlling the spread of the virus only improved mortality for Whites. However, pre-existing social determinants of health (i.e., population density, epidemiological and healthcare system factors) played a significant role in determining COVID-19 outcomes for CoC, even in the face of stringent containment measures by states. This suggests that state-led policy to address present and/or future public health crises need to account for the particular nature of vulnerability affecting Blacks and Hispanics in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorraine Frisina Doetter & Pasquale G. Frisina & Benedikt Preuß, 2022. "Pandemic Meets Endemic: The Role of Social Inequalities and Failing Public Health Policies as Drivers of Disparities in COVID-19 Mortality among White, Black, and Hispanic Communities in the United St," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:22:p:14961-:d:971754
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Freudenberg, N., 2002. "Adverse effects of US jail and prison policies on the health and well-being of women of color," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(12), pages 1895-1899.
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    3. Alberto Palloni & Elizabeth Arias, 2004. "Paradox lost: Explaining the hispanic adult mortality advantage," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 41(3), pages 385-415, August.
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