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The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 among Undocumented Immigrants and Racial Minorities in the US

Author

Listed:
  • Mohammad Tawhidul Hasan Bhuiyan

    (Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, West Palasi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
    Joint first author.)

  • Irtesam Mahmud Khan

    (Department of Computer Science and Engineering, United International University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
    Joint first author.)

  • Sheikh Saifur Rahman Jony

    (Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, West Palasi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh)

  • Renee Robinson

    (Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, University of Alaska Anchorage/Idaho State University, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA)

  • Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76177, USA)

  • David Keellings

    (Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • M. Sohel Rahman

    (Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, West Palasi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
    Joint senior author.)

  • Ubydul Haque

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76177, USA
    Joint senior author.)

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has had an unprecedented effect, especially among under-resourced minority communities. Surveillance of those at high risk is critical for preventing and controlling the pandemic. We must better understand the relationships between COVID-19-related cases or deaths and characteristics in our most vulnerable population that put them at risk to target COVID-19 prevention and management efforts. Population characteristics strongly related to United States (US) county-level data on COVID-19 cases and deaths during all stages of the pandemic were identified from the onset of the epidemic and included county-level socio-demographic and comorbidities data, as well as daily meteorological modeled observation data from the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), and the NARR high spatial resolution model to assess the environment. Advanced machine learning (ML) approaches were used to identify outbreaks (geographic clusters of COVID-19) and included spatiotemporal risk factors and COVID-19 vaccination efforts, especially among vulnerable and underserved communities. COVID-19 outcomes were found to be negatively associated with the number of people vaccinated and positively associated with age, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and the minority population. There was also a strong positive correlation between unauthorized immigrants and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Meteorological variables were also investigated, but correlations with COVID-19 were relatively weak. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact across the US population among vulnerable and minority communities. Findings also emphasize the importance of vaccinations and tailored public health initiatives (e.g., mask mandates, vaccination) to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the number of COVID-19 related deaths across all populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Tawhidul Hasan Bhuiyan & Irtesam Mahmud Khan & Sheikh Saifur Rahman Jony & Renee Robinson & Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen & David Keellings & M. Sohel Rahman & Ubydul Haque, 2021. "The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 among Undocumented Immigrants and Racial Minorities in the US," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12708-:d:693478
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eva Clark & Karla Fredricks & Laila Woc-Colburn & Maria Elena Bottazzi & Jill Weatherhead, 2020. "Disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant communities in the United States," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-9, July.
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    Cited by:

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