Abstract
BackgroundLight at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and consequently increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. COVID-19 infections spread differently in each state in the United States (US). The current analysis aimed to test whether there is an association between LAN and COVID-19 cases in 4 selected US states: Connecticut, New York, California, and Texas.MethodsWe analyzed clustering patterns of COVID-19 cases in ArcMap and performed a multiple linear regression model using data of LAN and COVID-19 incidence with adjustment for confounding variables including population density, percent below poverty, and racial factors.ResultsHotspots of LAN and COVID-19 cases are located in large cities or metro-centers for all 4 states. LAN intensity is associated with cases/1 k for overall and lockdown durations in New York and Connecticut (P < 0.001), but not in Texas and California. The overall case rates are significantly associated with LAN in New York (P < 0.001) and Connecticut (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe observed a significant positive correlation between LAN intensity and COVID-19 cases-rate/1 k, suggesting that circadian disruption of ambient light may increase the COVID-19 infection rate possibly by affecting an individual’s immune functions. Furthermore, differences in the demographic structure and lockdown policies in different states play an important role in COVID-19 infections.
Highlights
Light at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19
These findings support a significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and an individual’s increased vulnerability to infectious diseases and suggest that excess risk could be observed among individuals with high light at night (LAN) exposures for the infection of COVID-19 [2], a coronavirus causing the global pandemic in 2020
We investigate whether exposure to LAN is associated with COVID-19 incidence in major cities in four selected United States (US) states: Connecticut, New York, Texas, and California, each of which represent different geological locations
Summary
Light at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. A higher incidence and severity of respiratory infections has been reported among night shift workers [12]. These findings support a significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and an individual’s increased vulnerability to infectious diseases and suggest that excess risk could be observed among individuals with high LAN exposures for the infection of COVID-19 [2], a coronavirus causing the global pandemic in 2020
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