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Highlighting COVID-19 racial disparities can reduce support for safety precautions among White U.S. residents

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  • Skinner-Dorkenoo, Allison L.
  • Sarmal, Apoorva
  • Rogbeer, Kasheena G.
  • André, Chloe J.
  • Patel, Bhumi
  • Cha, Leah

Abstract

U.S. media has extensively covered racial disparities in COVID-19 infections and deaths, which may ironically reduce public concern about COVID-19. In two preregistered studies (conducted in the fall of 2020), we examined whether perceptions of COVID-19 racial disparities predict White U.S. residents’ attitudes toward COVID-19. Utilizing a correlational design (N = 498), we found that those who perceived COVID-19 racial disparities to be greater reported reduced fear of COVID-19, which predicted reduced support for COVID-19 safety precautions. In Study 2, we manipulated exposure to information about COVID-19 racial disparities (N = 1,505). Reading about the persistent inequalities that produced COVID-19 racial disparities reduced fear of COVID-19, empathy for those vulnerable to COVID-19, and support for safety precautions. These findings suggest that publicizing racial health disparities has the potential to create a vicious cycle wherein raising awareness reduces support for the very policies that could protect public health and reduce disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Skinner-Dorkenoo, Allison L. & Sarmal, Apoorva & Rogbeer, Kasheena G. & André, Chloe J. & Patel, Bhumi & Cha, Leah, 2022. "Highlighting COVID-19 racial disparities can reduce support for safety precautions among White U.S. residents," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:301:y:2022:i:c:s027795362200257x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114951
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark A. Thornton & Miriam E. Weaverdyck & Judith N. Mildner & Diana I. Tamir, 2019. "People represent their own mental states more distinctly than those of others," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Yao Lu & Neeraj Kaushal & Xiaoning Huang & S. Michael Gaddis, 2021. "Priming COVID-19 salience increases prejudice and discriminatory intent against Asians and Hispanics," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 118(36), pages 2105125118-, September.
    3. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303883_0 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Harell, Allison & Lieberman, Evan, 2021. "How information about race-based health disparities affects policy preferences: Evidence from a survey experiment about the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    5. Lee, J.G.L. & Martin, R.J. & Landrine, H. & Matthews, D.D. & Averett, P.E. & Niederdeppe, J., 2017. "Reasons for caution when emphasizing health disparities for sexual and gender minority adults in public health campaigns," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(8), pages 1223-1225.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gollust, Sarah E. & Haselswerdt, Jake, 2023. "Who does COVID-19 hurt most? Perceptions of unequal impact and political implications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    2. Hailey, Chantal A. & Murray, Brittany & Boggs, Rachel & Broussard, Jalisa & Flores, Milani, 2023. "Unmasking racial avoidance: Experimental evidence on parental school choice and public health policies during the Covid-19 pandemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).
    3. Ezell, Jerel M. & Olson, Brooke & Ghosh, Arnab & Chase, Elizabeth C., 2022. "Theorizing on neo public assistance: How do race and class impact resource uptake and behavior following disaster?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    4. Miller, Chad A. & Wilkins, Clara L. & de Paula Couto, Clara & Farias, Jéssica & Lisnek, Jaclyn A., 2023. "Anti-Black attitudes predict decreased concern about COVID-19 among Whites in the U.S. and Brazil," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    5. Brannon, Tiffany N. & Marshall, Riley A., 2023. "Twin pandemics, intertwined (intergroup) solutions: Support for mitigating racism benefits vaccine hesitancy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    6. Liu, Jiawei & Niederdeppe, Jeff, 2024. "Effects of communicating health disparities using social comparison framing: A comprehensive review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    7. Wong, Sandy & Ponder, C.S. & Melix, Bertram, 2023. "Spatial and racial covid-19 disparities in U.S. nursing homes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).

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