Effects of Racial and Socioeconomic Factors on Physical and Mental Well-Being Following Mild-Moderate COVID-19 Infection Open Access
Minton, Hannah (Spring 2021)
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection, known more commonly as COVID-19, has enacted unprecedented effects on the global population. Research on the indirect but disproportionate effect of infection on certain populations has been relatively neglected. Factors such as low socioeconomic status (SES) and belonging to a minority group have been posited to increase long-term effects that negatively impact livelihood.
Methods: This thesis sought to examine potential linkages between these demographics and detrimental outcomes resulting from COVID-19 infection; this was executed by creating and distributing a survey to outpatients sourced from various Emory University clinics. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to discern any associations between membership to aforementioned marginalized populations and negative effects post-infection.
Results: The resulting data showed associations between race and negative mental health effects post-infection as well as income and negative physical health effects post-infection, although neither were statistically significant. The strongest predictor for negative physical and mental health effects was the experience of chronic symptoms resulting from infection (OR = 7.154, 95% CI 3.831 – 13.360; OR = 2.291, 95% CI 1.284 – 4.089).
Conclusions: Breaking these long-endured patterns of health disparity will require implementation at the policy level to address lack of healthcare access and discrimination. There is a serious need for the development of a healthcare system that serves those who have insufficient or nonexistent healthcare insurance as well as with addressing the lack of resources (e.g. mental health specialists) in marginalized areas.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................................................................1
1.1. Background and significance.......................................................................................1
1.2. Scope of the problem...................................................................................................2
1.3. Statement of purpose...................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Review of the Literature...............................................................................................4
2.1. SARS-CoV-2: Origins, Epidemiology, and Diagnostics............................................4
2.1.1. Origins..........................................................................................................4
2.1.2. Epidemiology...............................................................................................5
2.1.3. Diagnostics...................................................................................................6
2.2. At-Risk Individuals and SARS-CoV-2 Infection.......................................................6
2.2.1. The elderly population.................................................................................7
2.2.2. Individuals with comorbid health conditions...............................................7
2.3. Social Determinants of Health.....................................................................................8
2.3.1. Social determinants and systemic racism.....................................................8
2.4. The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Marginalized Populations......................................9
2.4.1. SARS-CoV-2 and minority populations......................................................9
2.4.2. SARS-CoV-2 and low socioeconomic status (SES) ...................................9
Chapter 3: Methods......................................................................................................................10
3.1. Introduction................................................................................................................10
3.2. Study population........................................................................................................10
3.3. Research design.........................................................................................................11
3.4. Data analysis..............................................................................................................11
3.5. Ethical considerations................................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Results ....................................................................................................................... 13
4.1. Study sample demographics......................................................................................13
4.2. Association between race and negative health outcomes..........................................15
4.3. Association between income and negative health outcomes....................................18
Chapter 5: Discussion..................................................................................................................23
References....................................................................................................................................25
Appendix A ...............................................................................................................................30
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