Nonwhite communities face a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 with household size and occupation sometimes playing a role in who is most likely to become infected, a study published Thursday suggests.
The study, published in the journal Health Affairs, sought to quantify the differences in infection rates among communities of color and white communities, as well as detail how “demographic, economic and occupational factors” contributed to the disparities.
Looking at all 351 Massachusetts towns and cities, researchers found that a 10% increase in the Black population was associated with a 312.3 increase in COVID-19 cases per 100,000; a 10% increase in the Latino population was associated with an increase of 258.2 cases per 100,000.
Researches noted that communities with a larger percentage of Black residents and Latino residents had “larger populations on average, fewer high school graduates, lower median incomes, younger residents and more foreign-born non-citizens” than municipalities with fewer minorities. Researchers used data from the American Community Survey to account for variables for demographic information that isn’t publicly available.
While foreign-born non-citizen status, household size and occupation appeared to account for elevated rates of infection among Latino communities, these factors may not tied to higher COVID cases in Black communities, researchers said.
But the number of foreign-born residents turns out to be the strongest predictor of infection rates in the largest cities and towns, researchers said.
Many experts have highlighted the exacerbation of racial disparities during the pandemic, as communities of color have been shown to have the highest number of essential workers. In Boston, these communities have included cities like Chelsea and Revere, where infection rates are among the highest in the state.
A recent MassINC survey found that, of 622 Massachusetts residents who are Latino, 12% reported someone in their household had experienced coronavirus symptoms, and 51% indicated they have felt more sad and depressed than usual in recent months. The survey found that 20% of Latinos in the workforce are unemployed and looking for work, and about 35% said they have gotten food from a food bank.
In response to the disturbing trend of racial inequities in COVID cases, Boston officials launched a mobile testing strategy last month designed to target lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color, where rates of infection are highest.
Walsh said the mobile team will work to meet testing needs and ensure continued widespread access to testing throughout all of Boston’s neighborhoods.
“It reflects our commitment to leading our recovery with a robust, equitable public health strategy,” Walsh said. “This is a dedicated city-led effort to meet community needs and to ensure that we are getting testing wherever there might be gaps in access, or evidence of inequality.”
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