Seung-Won Emily Choi1, Tse-Chuan Yang2. 1. Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Texas Tech University, Lubbock. 2. Department of Sociology, Center for Social and Demographic Analysis, University at Albany, State University of New York.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examines how areas with different older population compositions are affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and whether urban and rural counties face different challenges. METHODS: Applying negative binomial regression to a data set of U.S. counties (N = 3,042), we estimated the relationship between older population ratios and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and how this relationship changes over time in urban and rural counties, respectively. RESULTS: Although low-ratio counties show the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic, confirmed cases in high-ratio counties (>25% of the total population is aged 65 and older) increase exponentially with time in urban areas. High-ratio rural counties hit their peak later and recover more slowly compared to low- and medium-ratio rural counties. DISCUSSION: Both urban and rural counties with larger older populations are more vulnerable and their disadvantages in COVID-19 infections are more rapidly exacerbated over time in urban areas. This underscores the importance of early action in those counties for effective intervention and prevention.
OBJECTIVES: This study examines how areas with different older population compositions are affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and whether urban and rural counties face different challenges. METHODS: Applying negative binomial regression to a data set of U.S. counties (N = 3,042), we estimated the relationship between older population ratios and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and how this relationship changes over time in urban and rural counties, respectively. RESULTS: Although low-ratio counties show the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic, confirmed cases in high-ratio counties (>25% of the total population is aged 65 and older) increase exponentially with time in urban areas. High-ratio rural counties hit their peak later and recover more slowly compared to low- and medium-ratio rural counties. DISCUSSION: Both urban and rural counties with larger older populations are more vulnerable and their disadvantages in COVID-19infections are more rapidly exacerbated over time in urban areas. This underscores the importance of early action in those counties for effective intervention and prevention.
Authors: Sarah L Jackson; Sahar Derakhshan; Leah Blackwood; Logan Lee; Qian Huang; Margot Habets; Susan L Cutter Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-08-04 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Stacey Giroux; Kurt Waldman; Mecca Burris; Julia C D Valliant; Angela M Babb; Philip Stafford; Daniel Fobi; Kamila Czebotar; Daniel C Knudsen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-02 Impact factor: 3.752