JUE Insight: COVID-19, Race, and Gender

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• COVID-19 fatalities show demographic disparities, with overrepresentation of minorities and underrepresentation of women.
• Existing evidence suggests racial and gendered impacts of the pandemic, but a joint analysis is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the combined effects of race and gender on COVID-19 mortality.
• To identify specific demographic groups most severely impacted by COVID-19 fatalities.
• To explore the socioeconomic and behavioral factors contributing to these disparities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized individual-level, georeferenced death data from the Cook County Medical Examiner.
• Structured data into a cell-level panel including race, block group, week, and year.
• Employed an event study approach to analyze mortality trends.

Main Results:

• Black individuals experienced disproportionately higher COVID-19 mortality compared to White individuals.
• The heightened impact on Black individuals was primarily driven by Black women.
• This Black female mortality bias was associated with occupational segregation in healthcare and transportation sectors and reliance on public transport.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing racial and gender inequities.
• Occupational segregation and transportation choices are significant factors contributing to Black women's vulnerability.
• Public health interventions must address these intersectional disparities for equitable outcomes.