Low Risk, High Stakes: Factors Associated with Low COVID-19 Risk Perception Among Black Chicago Residents

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Social Epidemiology

Background:

• Black Americans experience significant health disparities in the U.S.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these disparities, disproportionately affecting Black communities.
• Understanding risk perception is crucial for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors influencing COVID-19 risk perception among Black adults in Chicago.
• To examine the roles of medical mistrust, racism, and discrimination in shaping risk perception.
• To identify predictors of low perceived risk of contracting COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Survey data collected from 538 Black Chicago residents (September 2021 - March 2022).
• Backward stepwise regression analysis used to identify significant predictors of risk perception outcomes.
• Outcomes measured included disbelief in contracting COVID-19 and lack of worry about infection.

Main Results:

• Sociodemographic variables (gender-age, income) predicted risk perception.
• Close adherence to mask mandates correlated with a stronger disbelief in contracting COVID-19.
• Increased experiences of racial discrimination were associated with a lower disbelief in contracting COVID-19.
• Non-essential workers, individuals with fewer medical conditions, and those adhering to social distancing reported lower worry about COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• Individual behaviors (masking, distancing) and social factors (discrimination) significantly impact COVID-19 risk perception in Black adults.
• Findings underscore the need to address structural factors, including racism, in public health strategies.
• Further research is needed on the interplay of individual, social, and structural determinants of health risk perception.