Abstract
Introduction: The first report of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in Wuhan, China in December 2020¹. The United States comprises 4.2% of the world’s population yet, accounts for 15% of the world's COVID-19 deaths². To lessen the transmission of COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.)³ recommended ever-changing mitigating measures, including usage of masks, social distancing, limiting indoor activities, and vaccinations. Unfortunately, these public health recommendations highlighted the disparities and inequities in the United States and deepened the political divide.
Aims and Objectives: This research seeks to explore the relationship between COVID-19 infections and mortality rates in racial and ethnic minorities with the political party association of each state’s Governor. Understanding the role social determinants of health (SDOH) play in health disparities is of paramount importance.
Key Findings: Abundant research analysis shows that areas with large numbers of Republican supporters initially had lower COVID-19 infections and deaths. However, as these areas continued to ignore public health recommendations, the number of cases and fatalities surpassed those of Democratic-led areas. Researchers⁴ analyzed characteristics for each county and found Republican counties, compared with Democratic counties, had a smaller population density per square mile, fewer hospital beds, lower unemployment rate, lower median household income, less black non-Hispanic population, and fewer adults over the age of 65. However, black non-Hispanics, Hispanics, American Indian and Alaska Native residents are routinely employed in high-risk occupations considered ""essential"" with limited flexibility in working hours or environment. Additionally, they have difficulty adhering to social distancing guidelines when utilizing public transportation or when living in small, crowded, and intergenerational households. Poverty and the accompanying lack of resources contribute to an increased risk of health issues.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic statistics highlight the disproportions in resources and how this discrepancy contributes to the inequities and systemic racism. This review describes the link between political affiliation leanings and higher infection and mortality rates for those areas considered Republican.
Implications: The data supports the need for communities to focus on creating policies and interventions to reduce the health disparities of racial and ethnic minorities. The connection between government mandates, SDOH, and COVID-19 infections and deaths in racial and ethnic minorities cannot be ignored.
References:
1. Schuchat A. Public health response to the initiation and spread of pandemic COVID-19 in the United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly. 2020; February 24–April 21: 69:551–556. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6918e2external icon
2. World Health Organization [Internet]. WHO Coronavirus dashboard; (cited 2021 Oct 16). Available from https://covid19.who.int/region/amro/country/us
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. COVID data tracker; (cited 2021 Oct 16). Available from https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
4. Chen, H. F., & Karim, S. A. Relationship between political partisanship and COVID-19 deaths: future implications for public health. Journal of public health (2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab136