Abstract
It is essential to understand the impact of social inequalities on the risk of COVID-19 infection in order to mitigate the social consequences of the pandemic. With this aim, the objective of our study was to analyze the effect of socioeconomic inequalities, both at the individual and area of residence levels, on the probability of COVID-19 confirmed infection, and its variations across three pandemic waves. We conducted a retrospective cohort study and included data from all individuals tested for COVID-19 during the three waves of the pandemic, from March to December 2020 (357,989 individuals) in Aragón (Spain). We studied the effect of inequalities on the risk of having a COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis after being tested using multilevel analyses with two levels of aggregation: individuals and basic healthcare area of residence (deprivation level and type of zone). Inequalities in the risk of COVID-19 confirmed infection were observed at both the individual and area level. There was a predominance of low-paid employees living in deprived areas. Workers with low salaries, unemployed and people on minimum integration income or who no longer receive the unemployment allowance, had a higher probability of COVID-19 infection than workers with salaries ≥ €18,000 per year. Inequalities were greater in women and in the second wave. The deprivation level of areas of residence influenced the risk of COVID-19 infection, especially in the second wave. It is necessary to develop individual and area coordinated measures by areas in the control, diagnosis and treatment of the epidemic, in order to avoid an increase in the already existing inequalities.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China has triggered an unprecedented global public health crisis [1]
The objective of this study to explore the existence of individual andinequalarea ineities in the risk of COVID-19 confirmed infection, and its variations across three pandemic qualities in the risk of COVID-19 confirmed infection, and its variations across three panwaves
Rates were higher in the young activeand population and COVID-19 the elderly.incidence
Summary
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China has triggered an unprecedented global public health crisis [1]. On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this outbreak a global pandemic [2]. Dashboard [3], by March 2021 there were more than 120 million confirmed cases and more than 2.6 million deaths worldwide. Spain has been one of the European countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of writing this article, Spain has more than three million confirmed cases and a 14-day incidence rate of more than 140 cases per. As described in previous public health crises, pandemics do not affect people uniformly [5]. Inequality patterns are observed both at the global and local scales, showing worse health outcomes in populations and areas with lower socioeconomic levels [6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
