Race and Influenza Deaths in the United States

ABSTRACT

In recent months, we have watched COVID-19 spread across the planet like an out-of-control tsunami. As the deaths mount, evidence suggests that minority communities have been hit harder by the virus in every respect. However, influenza type viruses are not new in the United States or other parts of the world. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that influenza caused 34, 000 deaths in the U. S. during the 2018-2019 season. While much of the literature examines the incidence of death from influenza from a medical perspective, this research takes a social science perspective with the goal of influencing public policy. The analysis addresses two important questions. Are certain states and regions of the U. S. more prone to deaths from influenza? Are nonwhites more likely to die from influenza than whites? Our analysis demonstrates that certain U. S. states, regions, and racial groups are more likely to die from influenza than other groups. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.