Work

Air travel-induced COVID-19 risk and mortality across US counties

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of air travel-induced COVID-19 importation risk on COVID-related mortality across US counties from January 2020 to December 2021. We construct a novel measure of relative risk of COVID-19 importation for each destination county, based on passenger flows from origin counties, the severity of local outbreaks, and the presence of active cases. Using county-level data on COVID-19 mortality, vaccination rates, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic factors, we find a significant association between higher importation risk and increased COVID-19 mortality. The results suggest that air travel plays a crucial role in shaping the spatial distribution of COVID-19 mortality, underlining the need for targeted public health interventions in high-risk areas. Moreover, we conduct robustness checks using an alternative measure of mortality, confirming the consistency of these results.

Source: Transport Economics and Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.team.2024.11.002

Author: Jules Yimga

Institutions: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott Arizona Campus, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 epidemiological studies

Subfield: Modeling and Simulation

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,500