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Excess mortality versus COVID-19 death rates: a spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities and political allegiance across US states

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  • Aron, Janine
  • Muellbauer, John

Abstract

Excess mortality is a more robust measure than the counts of COVID􏰀19 deaths typically used in epidemiological and spatial studies. Measurement issues around excess mortality, considering data quality and comparability both internationally and within the U.S., are surveyed. This paper is the first state􏰀level spatial analysis of cumulative excess mortality for the U.S. in the first full year of the pandemic. There is strong evidence that, given appropriate controls, states with higher Democrat vote shares experienced lower excess mortality (consistent with county􏰀 level studies of COVID􏰀19 deaths). Important demographic and socio􏰀economic controls from a broad set tested were racial composition, age structure, population density, poverty, income, temperature, and timing of arrival of the pandemic. Interaction effects suggest the Democrat vote share effect of reducing mortality was even greater in states where the pandemic arrived early. Omitting political allegiance leads to a significant underestimation of the mortality disparities for minority populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Aron, Janine & Muellbauer, John, 2021. "Excess mortality versus COVID-19 death rates: a spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities and political allegiance across US states," INET Oxford Working Papers 2021-24, Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.
    • Handle: RePEc:amz:wpaper:2021-24
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Excess Mortality; COVID-19; Spatial Analysis; US States; Political Polarization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts

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