Racial and Ethnic Differences in Self-Reported COVID-19 Exposure Risks, Concerns, and Behaviors Among Diverse Participants in the Women’s Health Initiative Study
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk are well-documented; however, few studies in older adults have examined multiple factors related to COVID-19 exposure, concerns, and behaviors or conducted race- and ethnicity-stratified analyses. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) provides a unique opportunity to address those gaps. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of WHI data from a supplemental survey of 48 492 older adults (mean age 84 years). In multivariable-adjusted modified Poisson regression analyses, we examined predisposing factors and COVID-19 exposure risk, concerns, and behaviors. We hypothesized that women from minoritized racial or ethnic groups, compared to non-Hispanic White women, would be more likely to report: exposure to COVID-19, a family or friend dying from COVID-19, difficulty getting routine medical care or deciding to forego care to avoid COVID-19 exposure, and having concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Asian women and non-Hispanic Black/African American women had a higher risk of being somewhat/very concerned about risk of getting COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic White women and each was significantly more likely than non-Hispanic White women to report forgoing medical care to avoid COVID-19 exposure. However, Asian women were 35% less likely than non-Hispanic White women to report difficulty getting routine medical care since March 2020 (adjusted relative risk 0.65; 95% confidence interval 0.57, 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: We documented COVID-related racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 exposure risk, concerns, and care-related behaviors that disfavored minoritized racial and ethnic groups, particularly non-Hispanic Black/African American women.
Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Indiana University Indianapolis, Brown University, University of California, Davis, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, University of Arizona, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, University of California San Diego
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G1050918383, G1471908156, G1851278524, G2209176514, Addressing Individual Provider Bias and Group Decision-Making in Selection of Advanced Heart Failure Therapies in Racial/Ethnic Minorities, G3062349281, G3069585042, G3643850837, G3848509074, G3900787601, Seeking Objectivity in Allocation of Advanced Heart Failure (SOCIAL HF) Therapies Trial, G4546180501, Diet Related Inflammation and Kidney Function Decline in Racial/Ethnic Minorities, G6457110037, G6694253514, G700120080, G7332203415, G757750085, G8606882599, G915959914
OpenAlex ID: W4379197086