An Environmental Equity Assessment Using a Social Vulnerability Index during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic for Siting of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Locations in the United States

Jessica R. Mosher, Jim E. Banta (), Rhonda Spencer-Hwang, Colleen C. Naughton, Krystin F. Kadonsky, Thomas Hile and Ryan G. Sinclair
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Jessica R. Mosher: School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
Jim E. Banta: School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
Rhonda Spencer-Hwang: School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
Colleen C. Naughton: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
Krystin F. Kadonsky: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343, USA
Thomas Hile: School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
Ryan G. Sinclair: School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA

Geographies, 2024, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Research has shown that there has consistently been a lack of equity and accessibility to SARS-CoV-2 testing in underserved and disadvantaged areas in the United States. This study examines the distribution of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) testing placement across the United States (US), particularly within the context of underserved communities, and explores an environmental equity approach to address the impact of WBE on future pandemics. The methods combined the Centers for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (CDC-SVI) data set at the county level in a geospatial analysis utilizing ArcGIS and multilinear regression analysis as independent variables to investigate disparities in WBE coverage in the US. The findings show that disparities exist between counties in the use of WBE nationwide. The results show that WBE is distributed inequitably on national and state levels. Considering the nationwide adoption of WBE and funding availability through the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System, these findings underscore the importance of equitable WBE coverage for effective COVID-19 monitoring. These findings offer data to support that a focus on expanding WBE coverage to underserved communities ensures a proactive and inclusive strategy against future pandemics.

Keywords: wastewater surveillance; CDC Social Vulnerability Index; geospatial analysis; GIS; COVID-19; early detection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q15 Q5 Q53 Q54 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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