Social Distancing Associations with COVID-19 Infection and Mortality Are Modified by Crowding and Socioeconomic Status

Details

• Personal Author:
  Adamkiewicz G ; Hart JE ; VoPham T ; Weaver MD
• Description:
  The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a public health emergency. Social distancing is a key approach to slowing disease transmission. However, more evidence is needed on its efficacy, and little is known on the types of areas where it is more or less effective. We obtained county-level data on COVID-19 incidence and mortality during the first wave, smartphone-based average social distancing (0-5, where higher numbers indicate more social distancing), and census data on demographics and socioeconomic status. Using generalized linear mixed models with a Poisson distribution, we modeled associations between social distancing and COVID-19 incidence and mortality, and multiplicative interaction terms to assess effect modification. In multivariable models, each unit increase in social distancing was associated with a 26% decrease (p < 0.0001) in COVID-19 incidence and a 31% decrease (p < 0.0001) in COVID-19 mortality. Percent crowding, minority population, and median household income were all statistically significant effect modifiers. County-level increases in social distancing led to reductions in COVID-19 incidence and mortality but were most effective in counties with lower percentages of black residents, higher median household incomes, and with lower levels of household crowding. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Communicable Diseases Demography Family Men Minority Health Mortality Occupational Health Public Health Risk Assessment Safety Viral Diseases Women

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: COVID-19 Coronavirus COVID-19 Demographic Characteristics Disease Control Disease Incidence Disease Transmission Ecological Systems Ecologic Study Effectiveness Research Families Group Behavior Household Crowding Humans Infection Control Minority Health Models Mortality Data Public Health Recommendations Risk Management Safety Measures SARS-CoV-2 Social Distancing Socioeconomics Socioeconomic Status Statistical Analysis Viral Diseases

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• ISSN:
  1660-4601
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  18
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062608
• Citation:
  Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 May; 18(9):4680
• Contact Point Address:
  Jaime E. Hart, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
• Email:
  jaime.hart@channing.harvard.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Performing Organization:
  Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20190901
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• End Date:
  20230831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fdf8e03bdda968bad14943e6ff3115c1cdfad9e79def5d3278348e22421dd5c24a681d0f436fdd27f90d8afcb28d6fe2427fa5359a8ccf3f06c32c30026da691
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225816/cdc_225816_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 627.81 KB ]