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Karimi SM, Parh MYA, Shakib SH, Zarei H, Aranha V, Graham A, Allen T, Khan SM, Moghadami M, Antimisiaris D, McKinney WP, Little B, Chen Y, Ingram T. COVID-19 vaccine uptake inequality among older adults: A multidimensional demographic analysis. Am J Infect Control 2024:S0196-6553(24)00701-6. [PMID: 39277037 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age, race, ethnicity, and sex are important determinants of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Older adults (65 years and older) are at the highest risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Analyzing their vaccine uptake by subclassifying demographics is rare and can assist vaccination policies. This study investigates COVID-19 dose 1 and 2 vaccine uptakes among them by race, ethnicity, and sex. METHODS Immunization registry data were used to calculate temporal changes in older adults' COVID-19 vaccine uptake by race, ethnicity, race-sex, and ethnicity-sex in Kentucky's most populous county, Jefferson County, during the first 6 quarters of the COVID-19 vaccination program. RESULTS By May 2022, the county's Asian residents had the highest dose 1 and 2 vaccination rates (97.0% and 80.4%), then White residents (90.0% and 80.2%). Black residents had one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates (87.3% and 77.3%). The rate among Hispanic residents (82.0% and 66.4%) was considerably lower than non-Hispanic residents (90.2% and 80.1%). The rates were consistently lower in males. CONCLUSIONS Racial, ethnic, and sex-based COVID-19 vaccine inequalities were largely maintained during the study period. Vaccine rollout practices and promotional programs should aim to boost the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination among racial minority and male older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed M Karimi
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY; Center for Health Equity, Louisville Metro Department of Health & Wellness, Louisville, KY.
| | - Md Yasin Ali Parh
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Shaminul H Shakib
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Hamid Zarei
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Venetia Aranha
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Angela Graham
- Center for Health Equity, Louisville Metro Department of Health & Wellness, Louisville, KY.
| | - Trey Allen
- Center for Health Equity, Louisville Metro Department of Health & Wellness, Louisville, KY.
| | - Sirajum Munira Khan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Mana Moghadami
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Demetra Antimisiaris
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - William Paul McKinney
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - Bert Little
- Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
| | - YuTing Chen
- Center for Health Equity, Louisville Metro Department of Health & Wellness, Louisville, KY.
| | - Taylor Ingram
- Center for Health Equity, Louisville Metro Department of Health & Wellness, Louisville, KY.
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Pangan G, Woodard V. A Study Examining the Impact of County-Level Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Political Affiliation Characteristics on COVID-19 Vaccination Patterns in Indiana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:892. [PMID: 39063468 PMCID: PMC11276591 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign resulted in uneven vaccine uptake throughout the United States, particularly in rural areas, areas with socially and economically disadvantaged groups, and populations that exhibited vaccine hesitancy behaviors. This study examines how county-level sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics differentially affected patterns of COVID-19 vaccinations in the state of Indiana every month in 2021. We linked county-level demographics from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates and the Indiana Elections Results Database with county-level COVID-19 vaccination counts from the Indiana State Department of Health. We then created twelve monthly linear regression models to assess which variables were consistently being selected, based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and adjusted R-squared values. The vaccination models showed a positive association with proportions of Bachelor's degree-holding residents, of 40-59 year-old residents, proportions of Democratic-voting residents, and a negative association with uninsured and unemployed residents, persons living below the poverty line, residents without access to the Internet, and persons of Other Race. Overall, after April, the variables selected were consistent, with the model's high adjusted R2 values for COVID-19 cumulative vaccinations demonstrating that the county sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics can explain most of the variation in vaccinations. Linking county-level sociodemographic and political affiliation characteristics with Indiana's COVID-19 vaccinations revealed inherent inequalities in vaccine coverage among different sociodemographic groups. Increased vaccine uptake could be improved in the future through targeted messaging, which provides culturally relevant advertising campaigns for groups less likely to receive a vaccine, and increasing access to vaccines for rural, under-resourced, and underserved populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pangan
- Department of Applied & Computational Mathematics & Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA;
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Wong E, Liu Y, Shier V, Datar A. Heterogeneity in COVID-19 vaccine uptake within low-income minority communities: evidence from the watts neighborhood health study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:503. [PMID: 38365658 PMCID: PMC10873997 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17968-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature on disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake focuses primarily on the differences between White versus non-White individuals or differences by socioeconomic status. Much less is known about disparities in vaccine uptake within low-income, minority communities and its correlates. METHODS This study investigates disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake within racial and ethnic minoritized communities with similar socioeconomic backgrounds and built environments, specifically focusing on Black-Hispanic disparities and disparities within the Hispanic community by country of origin. Data are analyzed from the fourth wave (June 2021- May 2022) of the Watts Neighborhood Health Study, a cohort study of public housing residents in south Los Angeles, CA. Linear probability models estimated the association between vaccine uptake and participants' race/ethnicity, sequentially adding controls for sociodemographic characteristics, health care access and insurance, prior infection, and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. Differences in reasons for vaccination status by race/ethnicity were also tested. RESULTS Mexican Hispanic and non-Mexican Hispanic participants were 31% points (95% CI: 0.21, 0.41, p < 0.001) and 44% points (95% CI: 0.32, 0.56, p < 0.001) more likely to be vaccinated than non-Hispanic Black participants, respectively. The disparity between Black and Hispanic participants was reduced by about 40% after controlling for attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. Among Hispanic participants, non-Mexican participants were 13% points (95% CI: 0.03, 0.24, p = 0.01) more likely to be vaccinated than Mexican participants, however, these differences were no longer significant after controlling for individual and household characteristics (β = 0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, 0.15, p = 0.44). CONCLUSION There are sizeable racial and ethnic COVID-19 vaccination disparities even within low-income and minoritized communities. Accounting for this heterogeneity and its correlates can be critically important for public health efforts to ensure vaccine equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Wong
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, VPD, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, VPD, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Victoria Shier
- Sol Price School of Public Policy, Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, VPD, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ashlesha Datar
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, VPD, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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Kranzler EC, Ihongbe TO, Marshall MC, Denison B, Dahlen H, Hoffman B, Seserman K, Xie J, Hoffman L. Racial and ethnic differences in COVID-19 vaccine readiness among adults in the United States, January 2021-April 2023. Vaccine 2024; 42:410-414. [PMID: 38182461 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and have experienced systemic, attitudinal, and access-related barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. We examined differences in COVID-19 vaccine readiness-a composite measure of vaccination intention and behavior-between non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native U.S. adults. Using data from a cross-sectional survey administered to nationally representative samples of ∼ 5,000 U.S. adults each month from January 2021 to April 2023 (n = 135,989), we conducted weighted ttests comparing the monthly percentage of participants from racial/ethnic groups who were "Vaccine Ready." Initial racial/ethnic disparities in vaccine readiness were attenuated within a 7-month period, after which adults from most minority racial/ethnic groups became equally or more vaccine ready compared to non-Hispanic White adults (p < 0.05). Findings suggest that barriers to vaccine readiness that were more prevalent in non-White racial/ethnic groups may have largely been addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benjamin Denison
- Fors Marsh, 4250 Fairfax Drive, Ste 520, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
| | - Heather Dahlen
- Fors Marsh, 4250 Fairfax Drive, Ste 520, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
| | - Blake Hoffman
- Fors Marsh, 4250 Fairfax Drive, Ste 520, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
| | - Kate Seserman
- Fors Marsh, 4250 Fairfax Drive, Ste 520, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
| | - Jingyuan Xie
- Fors Marsh, 4250 Fairfax Drive, Ste 520, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
| | - Leah Hoffman
- Fors Marsh, 4250 Fairfax Drive, Ste 520, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
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Zeng C, Zhang J, Li Z, Sun X, Ning H, Yang X, Weissman S, Olatosi B, Li X. Residential Segregation and County-Level COVID-19 Booster Coverage in the Deep South: Surveillance Report and Ecological Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2023; 9:e44257. [PMID: 38051568 DOI: 10.2196/44257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 had a greater impact in the Deep South compared with other regions in the United States. While vaccination remains a top priority for all eligible individuals, data regarding the progress of booster coverage in the Deep South and how the coverage varies by county and age are sparse. Despite existing evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations at the individual level, there is an urgent need for evidence at the population level. Such information could highlight vulnerable communities and guide future health care policy-making and resource allocation. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate county-level COVID-19 booster coverage by age group in the Deep South and explore its association with residential segregation. METHODS An ecological study was conducted at the population level by integrating COVID-19 vaccine surveillance data, residential segregation index, and county-level factors across the 418 counties of 5 Deep South states from December 15, 2021, to October 19, 2022. We analyzed the cumulative percentages of county-level COVID-19 booster uptake by age group (eg, 12 to 17 years, 18 to 64 years, and at least 65 years) by the end of the study period. The longitudinal relationships were examined between residential segregation, the interaction of time and residential segregation, and COVID-19 booster coverage using the Poisson model. RESULTS As of October 19, 2022, among the 418 counties, the median of booster uptake was 40% (IQR 37.8%-43%). Compared with older adults (ie, at least 65 years; median 63.1%, IQR 59.5%-66.5%), youth (ie, 12 to 17 years; median 14.1%, IQR 11.3%-17.4%) and adults (ie, 18 to 64 years; median 33.4%, IQR 30.5%-36.5%) had lower percentages of booster uptake. There was geospatial heterogeneity in the county-level COVID-19 booster coverage. We found that higher segregated counties had lower percentages of booster coverage. Such relationships attenuated as time increased. The findings were consistent across the age groups. CONCLUSIONS The progress of county-level COVID-19 booster coverage in the Deep South was slow and varied by age group. Residential segregation precluded the county-level COVID-19 booster coverage across age groups. Future efforts regarding vaccination strategies should focus on youth and adults. Health care facilities and resources are needed in racial and ethnic minority communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbo Zeng
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Zhenlong Li
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xiaowen Sun
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Huan Ning
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xueying Yang
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Sharon Weissman
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Bankole Olatosi
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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Qi JZ, Weller SC. Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among High School Students in a Large, Diverse Metropolitan Area. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2023; 93:1070-1078. [PMID: 37528550 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because previous studies on adolescent COVID-19 attitudes focused on intent to get vaccinated, this study examined attitudinal factors and racial/ethnic differences associated with vaccine uptake. METHODS In a cross-sectional survey of a metropolitan high school district, students were asked about their COVID-19 attitudes, information sources, and whether they had been vaccinated. Logistic regression predicted vaccination status and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) controlled for race/ethnicity. RESULTS Being unvaccinated was associated with themes of distrust with concerns about vaccine newness (aOR: 0.10; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.06-0.15), side effects (aOR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.15-0.33), efficacy (aOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.17-0.38), distrust of vaccines (aOR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.09-0.27), government oversight (aOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.13-0.30), and politicization (aOR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.41-0.88). Vaccine uptake was influenced by official information sources, school closures, and vaccine availability. The majority of vaccinated and unvaccinated students trusted primary care professionals as a source for COVID-19 information, but their influence varied across race/ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS Trust and distrust were the main themes of vaccinated and unvaccinated students, respectively. Incorporating trusted information sources (primary care professionals) in information dissemination efforts may improve vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Z Qi
- Carnegie Vanguard High School, 1501 Taft St, Houston, TX, 77019
| | - Susan C Weller
- Department of Population Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-1153
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Chen CX, Cabugao P, Nguyen M, Villegas D, Batra K, Singh A, Kioka M. Comparing demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospital outcomes by vaccine uptake status: A single-institution cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35421. [PMID: 37800810 PMCID: PMC10553062 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the cornerstone of reducing morbidity and mortality of this disease, as it has been shown to decrease the risk of viral transmission, severity of disease, hospitalization, and intubation. However, true understanding of its impact is skewed by heterogeneous vaccine administration due to lack of equitable access, vaccine hesitancy, and varying social determinants of health. Therefore, this study aims to identify groups that are less likely to be vaccinated and understand whether the resultant differences in vaccination rates affect morbidity and mortality in socially marginalized COVID-19 patients. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on a randomized and stratified population of 939 COVID-19 patients from January 2021 to December 2021. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to assess demographic and clinical characteristic trends in unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated groups. No one age (P = .21), gender (P = .9), race (P = .12), ethnicity (P = .09), or health insurance status (P = .13) group was more vaccinated than the other. Similarly, no subgroup was at increased odds of intubation (P = .08) or death. However, patients with all categories of comorbidities including cardiopulmonary disease (P = <.001, effect size .17), renal disease (P = <.001, effect size 0.138), metabolic disease (P = .04), and immunocompromised (P = .01) states were found to have significantly higher vaccination rates. Our study also shows that full vaccination protects against mortality and decreases the odds of intubation by 55% (adjusted odds ratio = 0.453, P value = .015) compared to no vaccination or partial vaccination. Findings from this study show an encouraging trend that sicker patients had higher rates of vaccination against COVID-19. This trend highlights the need for further identification of motivators that may be applied to vaccine-hesitant populations, which can help guide population-level policy, increase vaccination campaign yield, and reach for health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Xinning Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Paul Cabugao
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Max Nguyen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Daniel Villegas
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Kavita Batra
- Office of Research, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Department of Medical Education and Office of Academic Affairs, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Aditi Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Mutsumi Kioka
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
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Foy CG, Lloyd SL, Williams KL, Gwathmey TM, Caban-Holt A, Starks TD, Fortune DR, Ingram LR, Byrd GS. Gender, Age and COVID-19 Vaccination Status in African American Adult Faith-Based Congregants in the Southeastern United States. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023:10.1007/s40615-023-01744-w. [PMID: 37580437 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01744-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates, with African Americans reporting lower rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The purpose of these analyses was to assess whether COVID-19 vaccination status differed according to age in a sample of 1,240 African American adult congregants of faith-based organizations ages 18 years or older, and to examine whether this association was moderated by gender. DESIGN We developed and administered a 75-item cross-sectional survey, the Triad Pastor's Network COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccination survey, to assess experiences and perceptions regarding the COVID-19 virus and vaccines. We assessed the association between age and having received > 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine using unadjusted and multivariable binary logistic regression models, and the interaction of age and gender with COVID-19 vaccination status in a multivariable model. RESULTS Approximately 86% of participants reported having received ≥ 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The mean age (standard deviation) of the sample was 51.33 (16.62) years, and 70.9% of the sample was comprised of women. The age by gender interaction term in the multivariable model was significant (p = 0.005), prompting additional analyses stratified by gender. In women, increased age was significantly associated with higher odds of COVID-19 vaccination (odds ratio = 1.09; 95% Confidence Interval 1.06, 1.11; p < 0.001). In men, the association was not significant (p = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS Older age was positively associated with COVID-19 vaccination in African American women, but not African American men, which may inform strategies to increase vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Capri G Foy
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
| | - Shawnta L Lloyd
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Kelvin L Williams
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Claude D. Pepper Older Adults Independence Center, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - TanYa M Gwathmey
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Hypertension and Vascular Research, Cardiovascular Sciences Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Allison Caban-Holt
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Takiyah D Starks
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Doreen R Fortune
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - LaDrea R Ingram
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Yale School of Public Health, Social Behavioral Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Goldie S Byrd
- Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
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Zhuo J, Harrigan N. Low education predicts large increase in COVID-19 mortality: the role of collective culture and individual literacy. Public Health 2023; 221:201-207. [PMID: 37487422 PMCID: PMC10284448 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although many studies have found a high correlation between socio-economic inequalities and risk of COVID-19 deaths, there is a reason to believe that much of this association is the product of differing levels of education. STUDY DESIGN We use a multi-level negative binomial regression model for analyzing COVID-19 mortality. METHODS We present multivariate models of fortnightly (n = 60) COVID-19 deaths in 3108 US counties for the period January 20, 2020, to May 10, 2022. We model the direct (unmediated) effect of education, controlling for economy, race, geography, lack of vaccination, political orientation (vote Republican), poor health, and lack of preventative health behavior. RESULTS After controlling for correlated risk factors and indirect mechanisms that mediate education's impact on COVID-19 mortality, we find a strong direct (unmediated) correlation between low education and COVID-19 mortality (incidence rate ratio = 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.15, 1.20). We theorize that this correlation reflects education's relationship with (1) collective cultures, such as norms of mask wearing, and (2) individual literacy, such as ability to engage with scientific communication. CONCLUSIONS Low education is strongly correlated with COVID-19 deaths, with an effect size of a university degree comparable to that of being aged >65 years. If this correlation is indeed causal, then it would imply that low education accounts for between 1 in 10 and 1 in 7 deaths in low-education counties. Education should be conceptualized as a potential high-risk factor for COVID-19 death and be taken into account when attempting to combat COVID-19 in disadvantaged communities. The effect of education cannot be reduced to its impact on vaccination or correlation with poor health or economic status, but it seems likely that low-education communities have collective cultures that expose individuals to greater risks and lack of individual literacy that limits engagement with public health messaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhuo
- Macquarie University, Level 3, 25C Wallys Walk, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia.
| | - N Harrigan
- Macquarie University, Level 3, 25C Wallys Walk, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia.
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Luningham JM, Akpan IN, Taskin T, Alkhatib S, Vishwanatha JK, Thompson EL. Demographic and Psychosocial Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccination Status among a Statewide Sample in Texas. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040848. [PMID: 37112760 PMCID: PMC10144075 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global public health concern since early 2020 and has required local and state-level responses in the United States. There were several Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines available for the prevention of COVID-19 as of August 2022, yet not all states have achieved high vaccination coverage. Texas is a particularly unique state with a history of opposing vaccination mandates, as well as a large and ethnically/racially diverse population. This study explored the demographic and psychosocial correlates of COVID-19 vaccinations among a statewide sample in Texas. A quota sample of 1089 individuals was surveyed online from June-July 2022. The primary outcome in this study was COVID-19 vaccination status (fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated) and included independent variables related to demographics, COVID-19 infection/vaccine attitudes and beliefs, and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hispanic/Latinx individuals were more likely than non-Hispanic White individuals to be partially vaccinated as opposed to unvaccinated. Higher education levels and confidence that the FDA would ensure a safe COVID-19 vaccine were strongly associated with a higher likelihood of being fully vaccinated. In addition, some challenges brought on by the pandemic and concerns about becoming infected or infecting others were associated with a higher likelihood of being partially or fully vaccinated. These findings emphasize the need to further investigate the interaction between individual and contextual factors in improving COVID-19 vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Luningham
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Idara N Akpan
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Tanjila Taskin
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Sarah Alkhatib
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Jamboor K Vishwanatha
- Institute for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Erika L Thompson
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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Akinbami LJ, Kruszon-Moran D, Wang CY, Storandt RJ, Clark J, Riddles MK, Mohadjer LK. SARS-CoV-2 Serology and Self-Reported Infection Among Adults - National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, August 2021-May 2022. MMWR. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2022; 71:1522-1525. [PMID: 36454698 PMCID: PMC9721142 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7148a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
CDC COVID-19 surveillance systems monitor SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence to collect information about asymptomatic, undiagnosed, and unreported disease using national convenience samples of blood donor data from commercial laboratories (1,2). However, nonrandom sampling of data from these systems could affect prevalence estimates (1-3). The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collects SARS-CoV-2 serology data among a sample of the general U.S. civilian population (4). In addition, NHANES collects self-reported COVID-19 vaccination and disease history, and its statistical sampling design is not based on health care access or blood donation. Therefore, NHANES data can be used to better quantify asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence and seropositivity attained through infection without vaccination. Preliminary NHANES 2021-2022 results indicated that 41.6% of adults aged ≥18 years had serology indicative of past infection and that 43.7% of these adults, including 57.1% of non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) adults, reported never having had COVID-19, possibly representing asymptomatic infection. In addition, 25.5% of adults whose serology indicated past infection reported never having received COVID-19 vaccination. Prevalences of seropositivity in the absence of vaccination were higher among younger adults and Black adults, reflecting the lower observed vaccination rates among these groups (5). These findings raise health equity concerns given the disparities observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Results from NHANES 2021-2022 can guide ongoing efforts to achieve vaccine equity in COVID-19 primary vaccination series and booster dose coverage.
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Chen Z, Ma GX, Zhang X, McLemore MR. Editorial: Community Engagement Is Key to Promoting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Health. Health Equity 2022; 6:681-683. [PMID: 36225667 PMCID: PMC9536337 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2022.0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Grace X. Ma
- Center for Asian Health, Department of Urban Health and Population Science at Lewis Katz School of Medicine and Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xinzhi Zhang
- Center for Translation Research & Implementation Science, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Monica R. McLemore
- Family Health Care Nursing Department, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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