Does Geographical Location Matter During a Pandemic? Implications of COVID-19 on Texas Border Counties When Compared to Interior Counties

Abstract

ABSTRACT The international crisis of COVID-19 has exposed economic, medical, and social inequalities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. COVID-19 cases have been especially acute in U.S. border communities. Counties along the U.S.-Mexico border region are fundamentally unique from counties in the interior United States. U.S. border counties contend with urban challenges such as deficient healthcare systems, immigration influxes, negative environmental conditions, and social justice issues continue to exist. Decades of systemic social and health inequality have disproportionately put many minority residences of the U.S.-Mexico border region at risk of COVID-19. Using a bordering framework, this study examines the impact of COVID-19 on Texas border counties, when compared to interior Texas counties. Negative binomial regression models reveal that the effects of COVID-19 on Texas border counties were more acute and detrimental when compared to interior counties. Texas border counties had more confirmed COVID-19 fatalities when compared to interior counties.