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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Diagnosis and Adherence to Mitigation Behaviors in a National U.S. Older Adult Sample
Wong, Roger Lovier, Margaret Anne
Wong, Roger
Lovier, Margaret Anne
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Journal Title
Epidemiology and Infection
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2023-10-06
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1
Publication End
33
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Abstract
Older adults and people of colour are vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and mitigation
behaviours reduce COVID-19 infection. We examined racial and ethnic differences in COVID-
19 diagnosis and adherence to COVID-19 mitigation behaviours among U.S. older adults. Data
were retrieved from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative
prospective cohort with 3257 U.S. Medicare beneficiaries aged 65+. COVID-19 variables were
collected in 2020; all other data in 2019. Odds of COVID-19 diagnosis and adherence to
mitigation behaviours (handwashing, masking, social distancing) were analysed using logistic
regression. Compared to White older adults, only Hispanic respondents had 2.7 times significantly
higher odds of COVID-19 after adjusting for sociodemographics, health, and mitigation
behaviours (aOR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.20-6.12). Black older adults had 7.9 times significantly
higher odds of masking (aOR = 7.94, 95% CI = 2.33-27.04) and 2.3 times higher odds of social
distancing (aOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.28-4.24), after adjusting for sociodemographics and health.
Among all racial and ethnic groups, only Hispanic older adults had a significantly elevated
COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite higher adherence to COVID-19 mitigation behaviours among
racial and ethnic minorities, especially Black older adults, odds of COVID-19 remained elevated.
Research is needed to explore potential mechanisms for higher odds of COVID-19 among
minority older adults.
Citation
Wong R and Lovier MA (2023). Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 diagnosis and adherence to mitigation behaviours in a national United States older adult sample. Epidemiology and Infection, 151, e175, 1–7 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268823001607