Tara Vijayan1, Michael Shin2, Paul C Adamson1, Christina Harris3, Teresa Seeman4, Keith C Norris5, David Goodman-Meza1. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, David GeffenSchool of Medicine, UCLA. 2. Department of Geography, UCLA. 3. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. 4. Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. 5. Division of General Internal Medicine-Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To highlight geographic differences and the socio-structural determinants of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity within Los Angeles County (LAC). METHODS: A geographic information system was used to integrate, map, and analyze SARS-CoV-2 testing data reported by LAC DPH, and data from the American Community Survey. Structural determinants included race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance status, education, population and household density. We examined which factors were associated with positivity rates, using a 5% test positivity threshold, with spatial analysis and spatial regression. RESULTS: Between 1 March and 30 June 2020 there were 843,440 SARS-CoV-2 tests and 86,383 diagnoses reported, for an overall positivity rate of 10.2% within the study area. Communities with high proportions of Latino/a residents, those living below the federal poverty line and with high household densities had higher crude positivity rates. Age- adjusted diagnosis rates were significantly associated with the proportion of Latino/as, individuals living below the poverty line, population, and household density. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant local variations in test positivity within LAC and several socio-structural determinants contribute to ongoing disparities. Public health interventions, beyond shelter in place, are needed to address and target such disparities.
OBJECTIVES: To highlight geographic differences and the socio-structural determinants of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity within Los Angeles County (LAC). METHODS: A geographic information system was used to integrate, map, and analyze SARS-CoV-2 testing data reported by LAC DPH, and data from the American Community Survey. Structural determinants included race/ethnicity, poverty, insurance status, education, population and household density. We examined which factors were associated with positivity rates, using a 5% test positivity threshold, with spatial analysis and spatial regression. RESULTS: Between 1 March and 30 June 2020 there were 843,440 SARS-CoV-2 tests and 86,383 diagnoses reported, for an overall positivity rate of 10.2% within the study area. Communities with high proportions of Latino/a residents, those living below the federal poverty line and with high household densities had higher crude positivity rates. Age- adjusted diagnosis rates were significantly associated with the proportion of Latino/as, individuals living below the poverty line, population, and household density. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant local variations in test positivity within LAC and several socio-structural determinants contribute to ongoing disparities. Public health interventions, beyond shelter in place, are needed to address and target such disparities.
Authors: Yelba M Castellon-Lopez; Savanna L Carson; Lisa Mansfield; Nanibaa' A Garrison; Juan Barron; D'Ann Morris; Ejiro Ntekume; Stefanie D Vassar; Keith C Norris; Arleen F Brown; Alejandra Casillas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-10 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Brian A Chu; Vijaya Surampudi; Zhaoping Li; Christina Harris; Teresa Seeman; Keith C Norris; Tara Vijayan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-20 Impact factor: 3.390