ABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study examines the national- and state-level age-adjusted mortality rates for alcohol-associated liver disease in 4 racial groups, with a focus on the American Indian or Alaska Native population.
Subject(s)
Alcohol-Related Disorders , COVID-19 , Liver Diseases , Racial Groups , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Ethanol/adverse effects , Indians, North American , Liver Diseases/epidemiology , Liver Diseases/ethnology , Liver Diseases/etiology , Liver Diseases/mortality , Pandemics , Alcohol-Related Disorders/complications , Alcohol-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Alcohol-Related Disorders/ethnology , Alcohol-Related Disorders/mortality , United States/epidemiology , Race Factors/statistics & numerical data , Racial Groups/ethnology , Racial Groups/statistics & numerical data , Ethnicity/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
We combined survey, mobility, and infections data in greater Boston, MA to simulate the effects of racial disparities in the inclination to become vaccinated on continued infection rates and the attainment of herd immunity. The simulation projected marked inequities, with communities of color experiencing infection rates 3 times higher than predominantly White communities and reaching herd immunity 45 days later on average. Persuasion of individuals uncertain about vaccination was crucial to preventing the worst inequities but could only narrow them so far because 1/5th of Black and Latinx individuals said that they would never vaccinate. The results point to a need for well-crafted, compassionate messaging that reaches out to those most resistant to the vaccine.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Intention , Race Factors , Vaccination , Boston/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , Humans , Persuasive Communication , Race Factors/statistics & numerical data , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Socioeconomic Factors , Uncertainty , Vaccination/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate racial and/or ethnic and socioeconomic differences in rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of children tested for SARS-CoV-2 at an exclusively pediatric drive-through and walk-up SARS-CoV-2 testing site from March 21, 2020, to April 28, 2020. We performed bivariable and multivariable logistic regression to measure the association of patient race and/or ethnicity and estimated median family income (based on census block group estimates) with (1) SARS-CoV-2 infection and (2) reported exposure to SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Of 1000 children tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection, 20.7% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In comparison with non-Hispanic white children (7.3%), minority children had higher rates of infection (non-Hispanic Black: 30.0%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-4.4]; Hispanic: 46.4%, aOR 6.3 [95% CI 3.3-11.9]). In comparison with children in the highest median family income quartile (8.7%), infection rates were higher among children in quartile 3 (23.7%; aOR 2.6 [95% CI 1.4-4.9]), quartile 2 (27.1%; aOR 2.3 [95% CI 1.2-4.3]), and quartile 1 (37.7%; aOR 2.4 [95% CI 1.3-4.6]). Rates of reported exposure to SARS-CoV-2 also differed by race and/or ethnicity and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of children tested for SARS-CoV-2 through a community-based testing site, racial and/or ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged children carry the highest burden of infection. Understanding and addressing the causes of these differences are needed to mitigate disparities and limit the spread of infection.