IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i12p4322-d372586.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Black–White Risk Differentials in COVID-19 (SARS-COV2) Transmission, Mortality and Case Fatality in the United States: Translational Epidemiologic Perspective and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Laurens Holmes

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Biological Sciences Department, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
    Emergency Department, Thomas Jefferson University, College of population Health, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA)

  • Michael Enwere

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Public Health Department, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA)

  • Janille Williams

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Benjamin Ogundele

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Prachi Chavan

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Tatiana Piccoli

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Chinacherem Chinaka

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Camillia Comeaux

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Lavisha Pelaez

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Osatohamwen Okundaye

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Leslie Stalnaker

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Fanta Kalle

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn, AL 36832, USA)

  • Keeti Deepika

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Glen Philipcien

    (Emergency Department, Victoria Hospital, Castries, St. Lucia)

  • Maura Poleon

    (School of Nursing, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33139, USA)

  • Gbadebo Ogungbade

    (Global Health Services Initiatives Incorporated, Arlington, TX 76014 USA)

  • Hikma Elmi

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Valescia John

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Fellow of Translational Health Disparities Science (FTHDS), Wilmington, DE 19803, USA)

  • Kirk W. Dabney

    (Nemours Children’s Healthcare System, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
    Emergency Department, Thomas Jefferson University, College of population Health, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA)

Abstract

Background: Social and health inequities predispose vulnerable populations to adverse morbidity and mortality outcomes of epidemics and pandemics. While racial disparities in cumulative incidence (CmI) and mortality from the influenza pandemics of 1918 and 2009 implicated Blacks with survival disadvantage relative to Whites in the United States, COVID-19 currently indicates comparable disparities. We aimed to: (a) assess COVID-19 CmI by race, (b) determine the Black–White case fatality (CF) and risk differentials, and (c) apply explanatory model for mortality risk differentials. Methods: COVID-19 data on confirmed cases and deaths by selective states health departments were assessed using a cross-sectional ecologic design. Chi-square was used for CF independence, while binomial regression model for the Black–White risk differentials. Results: The COVID-19 mortality CmI indicated Blacks/AA with 34% of the total mortality in the United States, albeit their 13% population size. The COVID-19 CF was higher among Blacks/AA relative to Whites; Maryland, (2.7% vs. 2.5%), Wisconsin (7.4% vs. 4.8%), Illinois (4.8% vs. 4.2%), Chicago (5.9% vs. 3.2%), Detroit (Michigan), 7.2% and St. John the Baptist Parish (Louisiana), 7.9%. Blacks/AA compared to Whites in Michigan were 15% more likely to die, CmI risk ratio (CmIRR) = 1.15, 95% CI, 1.01–1.32. Blacks/AA relative to Whites in Illinois were 13% more likely to die, CmIRR = 1.13, 95% CI, 0.93–1.39, while Blacks/AA compared to Whites in Wisconsin were 51% more likely to die, CmIRR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.10–2.10. In Chicago, Blacks/AA were more than twice as likely to die, CmIRR = 2.24, 95% CI, 1.36–3.88. Conclusion: Substantial racial/ethnic disparities are observed in COVID-19 CF and mortality with Blacks/AA disproportionately affected across the United States.

Suggested Citation

  • Laurens Holmes & Michael Enwere & Janille Williams & Benjamin Ogundele & Prachi Chavan & Tatiana Piccoli & Chinacherem Chinaka & Camillia Comeaux & Lavisha Pelaez & Osatohamwen Okundaye & Leslie Staln, 2020. "Black–White Risk Differentials in COVID-19 (SARS-COV2) Transmission, Mortality and Case Fatality in the United States: Translational Epidemiologic Perspective and Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4322-:d:372586
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4322/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4322/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Laurens Holmes & Emily Shutman & Chinacherem Chinaka & Kerti Deepika & Lavisha Pelaez & Kirk W. Dabney, 2019. "Aberrant Epigenomic Modulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) in Early Life Stress and Major Depressive Disorder Correlation: Systematic Review and Quantitative Evidence Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Yousey-Hindes, K.M. & Hadler, J.L., 2011. "Neighborhood socioeconomic status and influenza hospitalizations among children: New Haven County, Connecticut, 2003-2010," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(9), pages 1785-1789.
    3. Helene Økland & Svenn-Erik Mamelund, 2019. "Race and 1918 Influenza Pandemic in the United States: A Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Shuyuan Mary Ho & Xiuwen Liu & Md Shamim Seraj & Sabrina Dickey, 2023. "Social distance “nudge:” a context aware mHealth intervention in response to COVID pandemics," Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 391-414, September.
    2. Jean C. Bikomeye & Sima Namin & Chima Anyanwu & Caitlin S. Rublee & Jamie Ferschinger & Ken Leinbach & Patricia Lindquist & August Hoppe & Lawrence Hoffman & Justin Hegarty & Dwayne Sperber & Kirsten , 2021. "Resilience and Equity in a Time of Crises: Investing in Public Urban Greenspace Is Now More Essential Than Ever in the US and Beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-39, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bertocchi, Graziella & Dimico, Arcangelo, 2020. "COVID-19, Race, and Redlining," GLO Discussion Paper Series 603, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Samuel V Scarpino & James G Scott & Rosalind M Eggo & Bruce Clements & Nedialko B Dimitrov & Lauren Ancel Meyers, 2020. "Socioeconomic bias in influenza surveillance," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(7), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Carroll-Scott, Amy & Gilstad-Hayden, Kathryn & Rosenthal, Lisa & Peters, Susan M. & McCaslin, Catherine & Joyce, Rebecca & Ickovics, Jeannette R., 2013. "Disentangling neighborhood contextual associations with child body mass index, diet, and physical activity: The role of built, socioeconomic, and social environments," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 106-114.
    4. Doran, Áine & Colvin, Christopher L. & McLaughlin, Eoin, 2024. "What can we learn from historical pandemics? A systematic review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    5. Basco, Sergi & Domènech, Jordi & Rosés, Joan R., 2024. "Socioeconomic mortality differences during the Great Influenza in Spain," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    6. Stuart Gilmour & Phuong Le Mai & Phuong Nguyen & Bibha Dhungel & Maki Tomizawa & Huy Nguyen, 2020. "Progress towards Health for All: Time to End Discrimination and Marginalization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-5, March.
    7. Ivan J. Ramírez & Jieun Lee, 2020. "COVID-19 Emergence and Social and Health Determinants in Colorado: A Rapid Spatial Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, May.
    8. Zhijuan Song & Xiaocan Jia & Junzhe Bao & Yongli Yang & Huili Zhu & Xuezhong Shi, 2021. "Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Influenza-Like Illness and Prediction of Incidence in High-Risk Regions in the United States from 2011 to 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, July.
    9. Stolte, Allison & Merli, M. Giovanna & Hurst, Jillian H. & Liu, Yaxing & Wood, Charles T. & Goldstein, Benjamin A., 2022. "Using Electronic Health Records to understand the population of local children captured in a large health system in Durham County, NC, USA, and implications for population health research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    10. Laurens Holmes Jr. & Leah O’Neill & Hikma Elmi & Chinaka Chinacherem & Camillia Comeaux & Lavisha Pelaez & Kirk W. Dabney & Olumuyiwa Akinola & Michael Enwere, 2020. "Implication of Vaginal and Cesarean Section Delivery Method in Black–White Differentials in Infant Mortality in the United States: Linked Birth/Infant Death Records, 2007–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4322-:d:372586. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.