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Time Trends in Racial/Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Infection and Mortality

Author

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  • Michelle S. Wong

    (VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA)

  • Taona P. Haderlein

    (VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA)

  • Anita H. Yuan

    (VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA)

  • Ernest Moy

    (VHA Office of Health Equity, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420, USA)

  • Kenneth T. Jones

    (VHA Office of Health Equity, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420, USA)

  • Donna L. Washington

    (VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
    Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, University of California Los Angeles Geffen School of Medicine, 1100 Glendon Ave STE 850, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA)

Abstract

Studies documenting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) racial/ethnic disparities in the United States were limited to data from the initial few months of the pandemic, did not account for changes over time, and focused primarily on Black and Hispanic minority groups. To fill these gaps, we examined time trends in racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection and mortality. We used the Veteran Health Administration’s (VHA) national database of veteran COVID-19 infections over three time periods: 3/1/2020–5/31/2020 (spring); 6/1/2020–8/31/2020 (summer); and 9/1/2020–11/25/2020 (fall). We calculated COVID-19 infection and mortality predicted probabilities from logistic regression models that included time period-by-race/ethnicity interaction terms, and controlled for age, gender, and prior diagnosis of CDC risk factors. Racial/ethnic groups at higher risk for COVID-19 infection and mortality changed over time. American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN), Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders experienced higher COVID-19 infections compared to Whites during the summertime. There were mortality disparities for Blacks in springtime, and AI/ANs, Asians, and Hispanics in summertime. Policy makers should consider the dynamic nature of racial/ethnic disparities as the pandemic evolves, and potential effects of risk mitigation and other (e.g., economic) policies on these disparities. Researchers should consider how trends in disparities change over time in other samples.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle S. Wong & Taona P. Haderlein & Anita H. Yuan & Ernest Moy & Kenneth T. Jones & Donna L. Washington, 2021. "Time Trends in Racial/Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Infection and Mortality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4848-:d:547653
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ryan I. Logan & Heide Castañeda, 2020. "Addressing Health Disparities in the Rural United States: Advocacy as Caregiving among Community Health Workers and Promotores de Salud," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Peterson, K. & Anderson, J. & Boundy, E. & Ferguson, L. & McCleery, E. & Waldrip, K., 2018. "Mortality disparities in racial/ethnic minority groups in the veterans health administration: An evidence review and Map," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 108(3), pages 1-11.
    3. Washington, D.L. & Villa, V. & Brown, A. & Damron-Rodriguez, J. & Harada, N., 2005. "Racial/ethnic variations in veterans' ambulatory care use," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(12), pages 2231-2237.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anneliese N. Luck & Irma T. Elo & Samuel H. Preston & Eugenio Paglino & Katherine Hempstead & Andrew C. Stokes, 2023. "COVID-19 and All-Cause Mortality by Race, Ethnicity, and Age Across Five Periods of the Pandemic in the United States," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(4), pages 1-29, August.
    2. Lee, Haena & Andrasfay, Theresa & Riley, Alicia & Wu, Qiao & Crimmins, Eileen, 2022. "Do social determinants of health explain racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).

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