COVID-19 Incidence and Death Rates in the Southern Region of the United States: A Racial and Ethnic Association

Luma Akil (), Yalanda M. Barner, Anamika Bisht, Ebele Okoye and Hafiz Anwar Ahmad
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Luma Akil: Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
Yalanda M. Barner: Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
Anamika Bisht: Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
Ebele Okoye: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
Hafiz Anwar Ahmad: Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: The SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread worldwide, with over half a billion cases linked to over 6 million deaths globally. COVID-19 has impacted populations unequally based on income, age, race, sex, and geographical location. This study aimed to characterize COVID-19 incidence and death rate trends in six states of the southern region of the USA and to understand the demographic and racial differences in its incidence and death rates. Data for the study were collected from the COVID-19 Data tracker of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the following southern states: Alabama (AL), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS), and Tennessee (TN). The results showed a significant geographical variation in the COVID-19 cases and related deaths. Significant variations in COVID-19 cases and death rates were observed among different races and ethnic groups. The highest number of COVID-19 cases were observed among the Hispanic and Black populations, and the highest death rates were found among non-Hispanic Blacks and Whites. The southern states included in this paper showed a high number of COVID-19 cases and high death rates during the study period. These increased rates may result from the low socioeconomic status and large minority populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; southern USA; health disparities; minority population; socioeconomic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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