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Unravelling the Role of Socioeconomic Forces in the Early Stage of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Analysis

Author

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  • Kostas Rontos

    (Department of Sociology, University of the Aegean and Greece, University Hill, 81100 Lesvos Mytilene, Greece)

  • Maria-Eleni Syrmali

    (Department of Sociology, University of the Aegean and Greece, University Hill, 81100 Lesvos Mytilene, Greece)

  • Luca Salvati

    (Department of Economics and Law, University of Macerata, Corso Cefalonia, 70, AP 63023 Fermo, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly evolved into an acute health crisis with extensive socioeconomic and demographic consequences. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic requires a refined (and more comprehensive) understanding of virus dissemination over space, transmission mechanisms, clinical features, and risk factors. In line with this assumption, the present study illustrates a comparative, empirical analysis of the role of socioeconomic and demographic dimensions in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic grounded on a large set of indicators comparing the background context across a global sample of countries. Results indicate that—in addition to epidemiological factors—basic socioeconomic forces significantly shaped contagions as well as hospitalization and death rates across countries. As a response to the global crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, all-embracing access to healthcare services should be strengthened along with the development of sustainable health systems supported by appropriate resources and skills. The empirical findings of this study have direct implications for the coordination of on-going, global efforts aimed at containing COVID-19 (and other, future) pandemics.

Suggested Citation

  • Kostas Rontos & Maria-Eleni Syrmali & Luca Salvati, 2021. "Unravelling the Role of Socioeconomic Forces in the Early Stage of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6340-:d:573386
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. Mariateresa Ciommi & Francesco M. Chelli & Luca Salvati, 2019. "Integrating parametric and non-parametric multivariate analysis of urban growth and commuting patterns in a European metropolitan area," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 957-979, March.
    12. Alessandra Buja & Matteo Paganini & Silvia Cocchio & Manuela Scioni & Vincenzo Rebba & Vincenzo Baldo, 2020. "Demographic and socio-economic factors, and healthcare resource indicators associated with the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Northern Italy: An ecological study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, December.
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