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COVID-19 Related Early Google Search Behavior and Health Communication in the United States: Panel Data Analysis on Health Measures

Author

Listed:
  • Binhui Wang

    (School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Beiting Liang

    (College of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Qiuyi Chen

    (School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Shu Wang

    (Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
    Laboratory of Biomass and Green Technologies, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium)

  • Siyi Wang

    (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Zhongguo Huang

    (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Yi Long

    (Law School of Artificial Intelligence, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai 201701, China)

  • Qili Wu

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University National Media Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Shulin Xu

    (School of Economic, Guangzhou College of Commerce, Guangzhou 511363, China)

  • Pranay Jinna

    (School of Business, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

  • Fan Yang

    (Communication Department, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

  • Wai-Kit Ming

    (Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
    Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Qian Liu

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University National Media Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
    School of Business, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak at the end of December 2019 spread rapidly all around the world. The objective of this study is to investigate and understand the relationship between public health measures and the development of the pandemic through Google search behaviors in the United States. Our collected data includes Google search queries related to COVID-19 from 1 January to 4 April 2020. After using unit root tests (ADF test and PP test) to examine the stationary and a Hausman test to choose a random effect model, a panel data analysis is conducted to investigate the key query terms with the newly added cases. In addition, a full sample regression and two sub-sample regressions are proposed to explain: (1) The changes in COVID-19 cases number are partly related to search variables related to treatments and medical resources, such as ventilators, hospitals, and masks, which correlate positively with the number of new cases. In contrast, regarding public health measures, social distancing, lockdown, stay-at-home, and self-isolation measures were negatively associated with the number of new cases in the US. (2) In mild states, which ranked one to twenty by the average daily new cases from least to most in 50 states, the query terms about public health measures (quarantine, lockdown, and self-isolation) have a significant negative correlation with the number of new cases. However, only the query terms about lockdown and self-isolation are also negatively associated with the number of new cases in serious states (states ranking 31 to 50). Furthermore, public health measures taken by the government during the COVID-19 outbreak are closely related to the situation of controlling the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Binhui Wang & Beiting Liang & Qiuyi Chen & Shu Wang & Siyi Wang & Zhongguo Huang & Yi Long & Qili Wu & Shulin Xu & Pranay Jinna & Fan Yang & Wai-Kit Ming & Qian Liu, 2023. "COVID-19 Related Early Google Search Behavior and Health Communication in the United States: Panel Data Analysis on Health Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3007-:d:1062514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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