State Variation in Neighborhood COVID-19 Burden: Findings from the COVID Neighborhood Project (preprint)

A lack of fine, spatially-resolute case data for the U.S. has prevented the examination of how COVID-19 burden has been distributed across neighborhoods, a known geographic unit of both risk and resilience, and is hampering efforts to identify and mitigate the long-term fallout from COVID-19 in vulnerable communities. Using spatially-referenced data from 21 states at the ZIP code or census tract level, we documented how the distribution of COVID-19 at the neighborhood-level varies significantly within and between states. The median case count per neighborhood (IQR) in Oregon was 3,608 (2,487) per 100,000 population, indicating a more homogenous distribution of COVID-19 burden, whereas in Vermont the median case count per neighborhood (IQR) was 8,142 (11,031) per 100,000. We also found that the association between features of the neighborhood social environment and burden varied in magnitude and direction by state. Our findings underscore the importance of local contexts when addressing the long-term social and economic fallout communities will face from COVID-19.

Addressing Food-Energy-Water Insecurities of the Navajo Nation through University-Community Collaboration

In the US, COVID-19 is rampant within the Navajo Nation the largest tribe in the US, where the rate of poverty (38%) is more than twice that of the state of Arizona (15%). Navajo tribal officials cite the lack of healthy foods and running water as reasons for the prolific virus transmission, resulting in one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the US. Partnerships, including those involving research and education, are critical to addressing food, energy, and waste (FEW) insecurities in Native American communities. Over time, integrated, connected, resilient FEW units for remote Dine communities will provide efficient, economically achievable opportunities for dispersed water purification capacity and food-producing greenhouse technology powered by solar energy. Through university-community partnerships involving robust community engagement, technologies can be deployed in remote ocations as well as more urbanized locations.