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Analysis of COVID-19 Case Demographics and Disease Outcomes in Gary, Indiana

Author

Listed:
  • Maryam Sabir

    (Northwest Campus, Indiana University School of Medicine, Gary, IN 46408, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yazan Al-Tarshan

    (Northwest Campus, Indiana University School of Medicine, Gary, IN 46408, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Cameron Snapp

    (Northwest Campus, Indiana University School of Medicine, Gary, IN 46408, USA)

  • Martin Brown

    (Gary Health Department, Gary, IN 46402, USA)

  • Roland Walker

    (Gary Health Department, Gary, IN 46402, USA)

  • Amy Han

    (Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Tatiana Kostrominova

    (Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the prevalence of existing health disparities in Black communities in the U.S. The current study evaluates COVID-19 data collected in Gary, Indiana, from June 2020 to June 2021. We hypothesized that the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths were influenced by race and income. Methods: In collaboration with the Gary Health Department (GHD), we analyzed demographic data on COVID-19-positive cases. Results: Compared to Gary’s non-Black population, age- and population-adjusted rates of hospitalizations and deaths in the Black population were 3-fold ( p < 0.0001) and 2-fold ( p < 0.05) higher, respectively. This is despite a higher infection rate ( p < 0.0001) in the non-Black population. The median household income of a zip code was negatively correlated with COVID-19 hospitalizations (R 2 = 0.6345, p = 0.03), but did not correlate with infections and deaths. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates clear health disparities of income and race in the context of COVID-19-related infections and outcomes in the city of Gary. Indiana University School of Medicine Northwest and GHD officials can collaborate to utilize these data for the reallocation of resources and health education efforts in Gary’s highly populated, low-income, and predominantly Black neighborhoods. It should also prompt further investigation into national health resource allocation.

Suggested Citation

  • Maryam Sabir & Yazan Al-Tarshan & Cameron Snapp & Martin Brown & Roland Walker & Amy Han & Tatiana Kostrominova, 2023. "Analysis of COVID-19 Case Demographics and Disease Outcomes in Gary, Indiana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:18:p:6729-:d:1234930
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ru Wang & Lingbo Liu & Hao Wu & Zhenghong Peng, 2022. "Correlation Analysis between Urban Elements and COVID-19 Transmission Using Social Media Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Isabel Martinez Leal & Journa Njoh & Tzuan A. Chen & Faith Foreman-Hays & Brian C. Reed & Sean A. Haley & Kerry Chavez & Lorraine R. Reitzel & Ezemenari M. Obasi, 2023. "Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes among Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Communities: Community Partners’ and Residents’ Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-24, February.
    3. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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