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“Messengers matter”: Assessing the impact of racially concordant care on vaccine hesitation

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  • Anderson, Ashley

Abstract

With the rise in COVID-related deaths among the unvaccinated, understanding coronavirus vaccine hesitancy is critical to maintaining public health. Previous research has shown that sociodemographic factors, such as race, are essential for understanding vaccine hesitancy; yet, the specific factors driving racial disparities in vaccination continue to be a matter of intense debate. This study uses a novel survey experiment to uncover the linkages between race, physician trust, and vaccine hesitancy. Using a standard prompt on the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, it tests whether patient-physician race concordance affects the likelihood of vaccine uptake among US citizens. Analyses reveal that racially concordant care has a negligible effect on vaccine hesitancy, but does ameliorate other harmful beliefs regarding one's likelihood of experiencing discrimination and racism in healthcare more generally. These findings suggest that increasing diversity in the medical field should be paired with efforts to address systemic inequalities to promote increased vaccination.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderson, Ashley, 2023. "“Messengers matter”: Assessing the impact of racially concordant care on vaccine hesitation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:338:y:2023:i:c:s0277953623006925
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alyson Ma & Alison Sanchez & Mindy Ma, 2022. "Racial disparities in health care utilization, the affordable care act and racial concordance preference," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 91-110, March.
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    3. Brad N. Greenwood & Rachel R. Hardeman & Laura Huang & Aaron Sojourner, 2020. "Physician–patient racial concordance and disparities in birthing mortality for newborns," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(35), pages 21194-21200, August.
    4. repec:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:8569-8574 is not listed on IDEAS
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