Racial Attitudes and Perceptions of Government Response during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Public Health Strategies

Man Hung (), Jeremy D. Franklin, William A. Smith, Carlos J. Crespo, Evelyn U. Ezikwelu, Jerry Bounsanga and Martin S. Lipsky
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Man Hung: College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA
Jeremy D. Franklin: University of Utah Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
William A. Smith: College of Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Carlos J. Crespo: College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Evelyn U. Ezikwelu: College of Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Jerry Bounsanga: College of Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Martin S. Lipsky: College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Background: This study explored whether opinions about the government’s role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic vary based on demographic characteristics and racial beliefs. We hypothesized that opinions about the United States (U.S.) government’s response to COVID-19 would differ based on an individual’s characteristics such as age, race, and racial beliefs. Methods: We utilized an Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research dataset to examine differences in opinion regarding the government’s pandemic response, considering personal characteristics and racial beliefs. Descriptive statistics depicted respondents’ characteristics, and a Chi-square test for independence assessed whether differences emerged based on racial attitude, self-reported racial identity, sex, income, education, and age. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to independently determine which characteristics were associated with differences in evaluating the government’s pandemic response. Results: The sample consisted of 1028 respondents: 47.5% male and 52.5% female. Overall, the group viewed the government unfavorably, with only 40% reporting that the government responded correctly and 54% believing the government is almost always wasteful and inefficient. Hispanics or Latinos were more likely to view the government as wasteful or inefficient, while more Whites rated the government’s pandemic response as appropriate. Individuals who believed that racial discrimination is the main reason why many Black people cannot get ahead generally regarded the government’s pandemic response more favorably. Only 5% deemed the government’s response excessive. Being Black, younger, and female was associated with the view that racial discrimination is the main reason why many Black people cannot get ahead. Individuals who felt this way viewed the government unfavorably by almost a 2:1 ratio. Conclusions: A majority of U.S. residents do not believe the government responded correctly to the pandemic and more than half viewed the government as wasteful and inefficient. Differences emerged by ethnicity and racial attitudes, with individuals of color holding more negative views of the government’s response. Understanding this perspective can help develop messaging and strategies that resonate with communities where racial and minority groups live.

Keywords: racial inequality; politics; COVID-19; pandemic; economics; minorities; disparities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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