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Interpersonal distance: a factor in infectious disease morbidity and mortality?
Abstract:
We hypothesized a greater incidence of diseases transmitted by airborne vectors in countries where people interact at shorter distances from each other compared to countries where people interact at greater distances. Therefore, we examined the relationship between the interpersonal distance of pairs of people from different countries and the incidence of infectious disease in those countries. Morbidity and mortality data for 1981 were obtained from WHO reports, while interpersonal distance estimates were taken from Watson's study of proxemic behavior. Respiratory tuberculosis morbidity was negatively correlated with interpersonal distance (r = -.51, p = .037), while respiratory tuberculosis mortality was not (r = -.42, p = .051). Mortality from non-respiratory tuberculosis was negatively related to interpersonal distance (r = -.60, p = .007). To verify these correlations, we repeated the analyses using incidence data from 1977. Neither of the correlations remained significant, although for respiratory tuberculosis morbidity r = -.44 (p = .059). Our inability to replicate the original findings suggests the significant results for 1981 may have been spurious.
Insights
Shorter interpersonal distances may correlate with higher airborne disease incidence, but findings were not replicated. This suggests initial correlations between close social proximity and infectious diseases like tuberculosis might be spurious.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Social Science
Background:
- Airborne diseases may spread more readily in populations with closer interpersonal interactions.
- Understanding the relationship between social proximity and disease transmission is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between average interpersonal distance within countries and the incidence of infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized World Health Organization (WHO) morbidity and mortality data from 1981.
- Employed interpersonal distance estimates from Watson's proxemic behavior study.
- Analyzed correlations between interpersonal distance and tuberculosis (respiratory and non-respiratory) morbidity and mortality.
Main Results:
- In 1981, significant negative correlations were found between interpersonal distance and respiratory tuberculosis morbidity (r = -.51, p = .037) and non-respiratory tuberculosis mortality (r = -.60, p = .007).
- Replication analysis using 1977 data yielded non-significant correlations, with respiratory tuberculosis morbidity showing a trend (r = -.44, p = .059).
Conclusions:
- The initial significant findings from 1981 may have been spurious due to the inability to replicate them.
- Further research is needed to establish a definitive link between interpersonal distance and infectious disease transmission.
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