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Understanding Drivers of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Racial Disparities: A Population-Level Analysis of COVID-19 Testing Among Black and White Populations.
Mody, Aaloke; Pfeifauf, Kristin; Bradley, Cory; Fox, Branson; Hlatshwayo, Matifadza G; Ross, Will; Sanders-Thompson, Vetta; Joynt Maddox, Karen; Reidhead, Mat; Schootman, Mario; Powderly, William G; Geng, Elvin H.
  • Mody A; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Pfeifauf K; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Bradley C; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Fox B; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Hlatshwayo MG; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Ross W; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Sanders-Thompson V; Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Joynt Maddox K; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Reidhead M; Hospital Industry Data Institute, Missouri Hospital Association, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Schootman M; SSM Health, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Powderly WG; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
  • Geng EH; Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Clin Infect Dis ; 73(9): e2921-e2931, 2021 11 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1501041
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing-the pandemic's most critical but limited resource-may be an important but modifiable driver of COVID-19 inequities.

METHODS:

We analyzed data from the Missouri State Department of Health and Senior Services on all COVID-19 tests conducted in the St Louis and Kansas City regions. We adapted a well-established tool for measuring inequity-the Lorenz curve-to compare COVID-19 testing rates per diagnosed case among Black and White populations.

RESULTS:

Between 14/3/2020 and 15/9/2020, 606 725 and 328 204 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the St Louis and Kansas City regions, respectively. Over time, Black individuals consistently had approximately half the rate of testing per case than White individuals. In the early period (14/3/2020 to 15/6/2020), zip codes in the lowest quartile of testing rates accounted for only 12.1% and 8.8% of all tests in the St Louis and Kansas City regions, respectively, even though they accounted for 25% of all cases in each region. These zip codes had higher proportions of residents who were Black, without insurance, and with lower median incomes. These disparities were reduced but still persisted during later phases of the pandemic (16/6/2020 to 15/9/2020). Last, even within the same zip code, Black residents had lower rates of tests per case than White residents.

CONCLUSIONS:

Black populations had consistently lower COVID-19 testing rates per diagnosed case than White populations in 2 Missouri regions. Public health strategies should proactively focus on addressing equity gaps in COVID-19 testing to improve equity of the overall response.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Clin Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Cid