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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
How Did Cognitive Status Impact Health Care Use Among Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Katarina Sako, Janet Wilmoth
How Did Cognitive Status Impact Health Care Use Among Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Katarina Sako, Janet Wilmoth
Population Health Research Brief Series
Physical distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of older adults. Older adults experiencing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline have impaired executive functioning that made it even more difficult to contend with these disruptions. This brief presents findings from research that used data from the 2021 Health and Retirement Study to examine differences in health care delays and health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic among a nationally representative sample of U.S. older adults (ages 50+) with versus without cognitive decline. Results show that most older adults did not delay getting health care and did not experience …
States’ Covid-19 Restrictions Were Associated With Increases In Drug Overdose Deaths In 2020, Douglas A. Wolf, Shannon M. Monnat, Jennifer Karas Montez, Emily E. Wiemers, Elyse Grossman
States’ Covid-19 Restrictions Were Associated With Increases In Drug Overdose Deaths In 2020, Douglas A. Wolf, Shannon M. Monnat, Jennifer Karas Montez, Emily E. Wiemers, Elyse Grossman
Population Health Research Brief Series
Drug overdoses surged in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts raised concerns in the pandemic’s early months about how the pandemic and the policies enacted to stem it might increase overdose risk. This brief summarizes the findings of a paper that used national data to identify how states’ COVID-19 policies affected drug overdose rates among U.S. adults ages 25-64 during the first year of the pandemic. Results show that counties located in states that adopted more aggressive in-person activity restrictions experienced larger increases in 2020 than counties located in states with fewer limitations. State economic support policies …
State Covid-19 Policies That Restricted In-Person Interaction And Provided Economic Support Saved Lives During The First Year Of The Pandemic, Yue Sun, Erin Bisesti
State Covid-19 Policies That Restricted In-Person Interaction And Provided Economic Support Saved Lives During The First Year Of The Pandemic, Yue Sun, Erin Bisesti
Population Health Research Brief Series
States varied dramatically in their implementation of policies to mitigate coronavirus spread and provide financial safety nets to residents who may have been struggling with the pandemic’s economic fallout. These differences may have contributed to variations in COVID-19 mortality rates between states. This brief summarizes the results of a recent study examining how U.S. states’ COVID-19 policies were related to COVID-19 mortality rates from April to December 2020. The findings show that states that enacted policies restricting in-person interaction and providing economic support to residents had lower COVID-19 death rates than states without these policies. Over 29,000 lives could have …
Mothers Of Disabled Children Faced Numerous Challenges During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amy Lutz, Sujung (Crystal) Lee, Baurzhan Bokayev
Mothers Of Disabled Children Faced Numerous Challenges During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amy Lutz, Sujung (Crystal) Lee, Baurzhan Bokayev
Population Health Research Brief Series
The COVID-19 pandemic changed life dramatically for most families, but particularly for families with a disabled child. Mothers of disabled children faced increased difficulties during the early months of COVID-19 compared to other families. Reduction in services, school closures, and managing paid work drastically impacted caregivers’ mental health. This brief summarizes results from a recent study on the challenges mothers of disabled children faced during the COVID-19 pandemic during the Spring of 2020 in Central New York.
The Unequal Burden Of Long Covid, Marc A. Garcia, Catherine Garcia, Erin Bisesti
The Unequal Burden Of Long Covid, Marc A. Garcia, Catherine Garcia, Erin Bisesti
Population Health Research Brief Series
Racial/ethnic disparities in U.S. COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths have been well documented. However, less research has focused on racial/ethnic disparities in long COVID. This data slice summarizes data from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey and reports that although there are no significant racial/ethnic differences in overall activity limitations from long COVID, a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic/Latino adults report experiencing “significant” activity limitations compared to Whites.
Social Support Protected Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Kowalkowski, Danielle C. Rhubart
Social Support Protected Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Kowalkowski, Danielle C. Rhubart
Population Health Research Brief Series
Social support can protect mental health from the stressors of life during times of widespread crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Using nationally representative data on U.S. working-age adults (18-64), this brief shows that those who reported having emotional support from family and friends were less likely to report negative mental health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic (32.9%) compared to those without emotional support (50.2%). Adults with higher levels of instrumental support – being able to count on someone for a $200 loan or for a place to live - were also less likely than those without those types of support …
Covid-19 Negatively Impacted Health And Social Relationships Among Working-Age Adults With Disabilities, Claire Pendergrast, Shannon M. Monnat
Covid-19 Negatively Impacted Health And Social Relationships Among Working-Age Adults With Disabilities, Claire Pendergrast, Shannon M. Monnat
Population Health Research Brief Series
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are related to personal care and mobility. COVID-19 disrupted access to care for many working-age adults with ADL difficulties, potentially creating negative health and social impacts. This research brief shows that working-age adults (18-64) with ADL difficulty faced worse health and social impacts than their peers without ADL difficulty during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The needs of people with disabilities must be prioritized in policy decisions to increase equity and reduce health disparities during the ongoing COVID-19 response and in future public health emergencies.
Nine Ways Grandparenting Is Changing With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Madonna Harrington Meyer
Nine Ways Grandparenting Is Changing With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Madonna Harrington Meyer
Population Health Research Brief Series
Grandparents play a vital role in providing care for their grandchildren in the United States. However, long-term sociodemographic changes, including lower fertility rates and changes in employment and technology, along with massive upheavals prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic are changing grandparenting in important ways. This research brief describes these long-term sociodemographic changes and uses in-depth interviews conducted before the pandemic to illustrate nine specific ways grandparenting is shifting in the U.S. It concludes by calling for more supportive social welfare programs to support working families and reduce the reliance on grandparents for meeting childcare and financial needs.
Covid-19 Has Reduced The Latino Mortality Advantage Among Older Adults, Marc A. Garcia, Rogelio Sáenz
Covid-19 Has Reduced The Latino Mortality Advantage Among Older Adults, Marc A. Garcia, Rogelio Sáenz
Population Health Research Brief Series
The COVID-19 pandemic is quickly reshaping U.S. mortality patterns, especially among those aged 65 and older. While U.S Latinos have historically had lower mortality rates than Whites, the pandemic and other structural inequities have reduced this advantage. This research brief examines Latino-White differences in COVID-19 mortality rates among older adults and describes how those disparities have reduced the Latino mortality advantage in this age group.
White Covid-19 Deaths Increased More In Red States Than In Blue States In 2021, Rogelio Sáenz, Marc A. Garcia
White Covid-19 Deaths Increased More In Red States Than In Blue States In 2021, Rogelio Sáenz, Marc A. Garcia
Population Health Research Brief Series
COVID-19 mortality rates increased 70% between 2020 and 2021. While the early months of the pandemic were marked by higher mortality rates among Whites in blue (Democratic governor) states, red states (Republican governor) experienced larger increases in 2021.
Covid-19 Deaths Soared Among U.S. Whites In 2021, Rogelio Saenz, Marc A. Garcia, Claire Pendergrast
Covid-19 Deaths Soared Among U.S. Whites In 2021, Rogelio Saenz, Marc A. Garcia, Claire Pendergrast
Population Health Research Brief Series
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated health disparities in the United States. While people of color have borne the brunt of lives lost throughout the pandemic, the growth in White deaths from COVID-19 outpaced deaths among other racial/ethnic groups in 2021. This research brief shows that approximately 514,000 Americans died of COVID-19 in 2021, a 70 percent increase from 2020. Deaths rose 90 percent among non-Latino Whites between 2020 and 2021, two to three times faster than the rise among racial/ethnic minority groups.
Latinos Report Higher Rates Of Cognitive Impairment Than U.S.-Born Whites, But Rates Vary Between Latino Subgroups, Claire Pendergrast, Marc A. Garcia, Catherine Garcia
Latinos Report Higher Rates Of Cognitive Impairment Than U.S.-Born Whites, But Rates Vary Between Latino Subgroups, Claire Pendergrast, Marc A. Garcia, Catherine Garcia
Population Health Research Brief Series
Cognitive impairment is a major public health issue that affects older adults’ quality of life and independence. Among older adults, U.S. Latinos have higher rates of cognitive impairment than U.S.-born Whites. This brief describes differences in the prevalence and age patterns of self-reported cognitive impairment between Latinos aged 60 and older living in the U.S. and U.S.-born non-Latino Whites, and within Latino subgroups (U.S.-born Mexicans, foreign-born Mexicans, island-born Puerto Ricans, and foreign-born Cubans). Findings show higher rates of cognitive impairment among U.S. Latinos than among non-Latino Whites, with especially high rates among island-born Puerto Ricans and both U.S.- and foreign-born …
What Do Epidemic History And Sexual Minority Men’S Experiences Of Hiv And Covid-19 Teach Us About Pandemic Preparedness?, Amy Braksmajer, Andrew London
What Do Epidemic History And Sexual Minority Men’S Experiences Of Hiv And Covid-19 Teach Us About Pandemic Preparedness?, Amy Braksmajer, Andrew London
Population Health Research Brief Series
For many, COVID-19 feels like the first, massive, life-threatening epidemic of infectious disease they have faced. However, for sexual minority individuals who have experienced trauma and loss stemming from the HIV epidemic, there are many similarities. This brief summarizes findings from interviews with men who have lived through both pandemics as a way to gain insights into the commonalities and differences of their experiences. Findings show that men who lived through both epidemics believe the government did not do enough to respond to either crisis. To better prepare for future epidemics, public health efforts must be less fragmented, including a …
Reported Reasons For Avoiding The Covid-19 Vaccine Vary By Age, Kelsey Wilber
Reported Reasons For Avoiding The Covid-19 Vaccine Vary By Age, Kelsey Wilber
Population Health Research Brief Series
Despite various efforts by governments, businesses, and health care providers, a large share of the U.S. population remains resistant to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Understanding why individuals refuse the vaccine is important for tailoring interventions to improve vaccination rates. This brief examines age differences in reasons reported for not getting the vaccine. Concerns about possible side effects are the most common among every age group, but other reported reasons, including lack of trust in the vaccine and the government vary by age group. Findings suggest that tackling COVID-19 misinformation is critical to increase vaccination rates in the United States.
Billions In Covid-19 Rental Assistance Fails To Reach Tenants, William Clay Fannin
Billions In Covid-19 Rental Assistance Fails To Reach Tenants, William Clay Fannin
Population Health Research Brief Series
COVID-19 exacerbated existing problems with housing affordability in the United States, particularly for Black and Hispanic renters. To curb these financial hardships, Congress created the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, but ERA rollout has been slow and inconsistent. This brief describes geographic differences in ERA spending across the U.S. and encourages states and localities to adopt policies that increase program eligibility and streamline fund disbursement.
Covid-19 Has Had Devastating Economic Impacts On Older Black And Latinx Adults, Claire Pendergrast, Amy Thierry, Marc A. Garcia
Covid-19 Has Had Devastating Economic Impacts On Older Black And Latinx Adults, Claire Pendergrast, Amy Thierry, Marc A. Garcia
Population Health Research Brief Series
Black and Latinx communities have been disproportionately affected by economic hardships during the pandemic, magnifying long-standing economic inequalities. This research brief shows that in the first year of the pandemic, older Black and Latinx adults experienced greater negative economic impacts than older White adults. Foreign-born and U.S.-born Latinx adults experienced especially significant economic hardships relative to other groups. To reduce the disproportionate economic impacts of crises like COVID-19 on older Black and Latinx adults, policymakers should prioritize economic relief measures and support broader social policy to reduce economic inequality.
Older Adults Are More Likely To Avoid Covid-19 Information, Julia Nolte, Corinna Löckenhoff
Older Adults Are More Likely To Avoid Covid-19 Information, Julia Nolte, Corinna Löckenhoff
Population Health Research Brief Series
Older adults are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 but less interested in information that might lower the risk of getting or spreading the disease. This brief shows that in the first months of the pandemic, older adults were less likely to consume COVID-19 information or media than younger adults. These behaviors are associated with age differences in emotional experiences and preferences, with older adults feeling calmer and more interested in protecting their feelings than younger adults. To keep older adults informed on COVID-19, government and health officials should directly target communication efforts to older adults.
Rural Counties Lost More Years Of Life Than Urban Counties In 2020, Yue Sun
Rural Counties Lost More Years Of Life Than Urban Counties In 2020, Yue Sun
Population Health Research Brief Series
Rural mortality rates have been higher than urban mortality rates for decades in the United States. Now, higher COVID-19 mortality rates in rural areas threaten to exacerbate the existing rural mortality penalty. This brief shows that rural counties had higher average years of potential life lost than urban counties in both 2019 and 2020. However, the increase in YPLL between 2019 and 2020 was largest in small rural counties and large rural counties adjacent to metro areas. Federal, state, and local governments must target social, structural, and policy determinants of health and premature mortality that disproportionately affect rural residents.
Older Adult Vaccination Rates Lag In Rural Areas And The South, Claire Pendergrast, Yue Sun
Older Adult Vaccination Rates Lag In Rural Areas And The South, Claire Pendergrast, Yue Sun
Population Health Research Brief Series
Older adults face especially severe health risks from COVID-19 compared to other age groups. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way for older adults to reduce their risk of serious illness or death. This brief examines geographic trends in COVID-19 vaccination rates for adults age 65+. The authors find that older adult vaccination rates are low in rural areas and especially low in the South.
Why Are Covid-19 Vaccination Rates Lower In Rural Than In Urban Areas Of The U.S.?, Shannon M. Monnat, Yue Sun
Why Are Covid-19 Vaccination Rates Lower In Rural Than In Urban Areas Of The U.S.?, Shannon M. Monnat, Yue Sun
Population Health Research Brief Series
Achieving high vaccination coverage is the best way to prevent coronavirus spread, but COVID-19 vaccination rates vary substantially across the U.S. This brief compares COVID-19 vaccination rates across the U.S. rural-urban continuum and identifies the major contributors to lower rates of vaccination in rural counties. The authors find that higher Trump vote share in the 2020 Presidential election and lower educational attainment collectively explain lower rural vaccination rates.
Working Parents Post Pandemic: Reimagining Remote Work After Covid-19, Austin Brown
Working Parents Post Pandemic: Reimagining Remote Work After Covid-19, Austin Brown
Population Health Research Brief Series
Working families faced significant challenges prior to COVID-19. The pandemic has prompted many Americans to more deeply examine the relationship between time, work, and health. This brief discusses considerations for working parents as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and workers face calls to return to the office. It argues that public health professionals should advocate for work-life balance and flexible work arrangements as key social determinants of health.
Rates Of Anxiety And Depression Are High Among Young Adults During Covid-19, Xiaoyan Zhang
Rates Of Anxiety And Depression Are High Among Young Adults During Covid-19, Xiaoyan Zhang
Population Health Research Brief Series
This data slice uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey to compare the percentage of U.S. young adults (ages 18-29) who reported experiencing anxiety or depression during a two-week period in late March 2021 by race/ethnicity. The brief shows much lower rates of self-reported anxiety among Non-Hispanic Blacks than among other racial/ethnic groups but no significant racial/ethnic differences in self-reported depression.
Adults With Income Loss During Covid-19 Have Higher Rates Of Anxiety And Depression, Xiaoyan Zhang
Adults With Income Loss During Covid-19 Have Higher Rates Of Anxiety And Depression, Xiaoyan Zhang
Population Health Research Brief Series
The COVID-19 pandemic created severe economic challenges that increase risk of mental health problems. This data slice uses data from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey to compare rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms between U.S. adults with versus without employment income loss since COVID-19 hit the U.S. in March 2020. Prevalence rates for both anxiety and depressive symptoms were higher among adults who experienced employment income loss since March 2020 compared to those who did not experience employment income loss. While providing economic support to those who have lost income in the past year is critical, it is equally …
Area Agencies On Aging Provide Crucial Support For Older New Yorkers During Covid-19, Claire Pendergrast
Area Agencies On Aging Provide Crucial Support For Older New Yorkers During Covid-19, Claire Pendergrast
Population Health Research Brief Series
This research brief discusses how Area Agencies on Aging are providing crucial support for older NewYorkers during COVID-19.
Covid-19 Reduced Outpatient Visits By Up To 70% In The Us, Pinka Chatterji, Yue Li
Covid-19 Reduced Outpatient Visits By Up To 70% In The Us, Pinka Chatterji, Yue Li
Population Health Research Brief Series
The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for healthcare providers. Outpatient visits dropped by up to 70% relative to the same weeks in prior years.
Covid-19 Trends Among Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (Idd) Living In Residential Group Homes In New York State Through July 10, 2020, Scott D. Landes, Margaret A. Turk, Margaret K. Formica, Katherine E. Mcdonald
Covid-19 Trends Among Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities (Idd) Living In Residential Group Homes In New York State Through July 10, 2020, Scott D. Landes, Margaret A. Turk, Margaret K. Formica, Katherine E. Mcdonald
Population Health Research Brief Series
While COVID-19 case rates increased between April 10, 2020 and July 10, 2020 for both groups, from April 10 to May 1, the case rate increased by 2.5 times for people with IDD, from 2,225 to 5,544 cases per 100,000, but only increased by 1.6 times for New York State, from 886 to 1,584 cases per 100,000.
Rural Covid-19 Mortality Rates Are Highest In Counties With The Largest Percentages Of Blacks And Hispanics, Kent Jason G. Cheng, Yue Sun, Shannon M. Monnat
Rural Covid-19 Mortality Rates Are Highest In Counties With The Largest Percentages Of Blacks And Hispanics, Kent Jason G. Cheng, Yue Sun, Shannon M. Monnat
Population Health Research Brief Series
COVID-19 mortality risk is not distributed equally across the U.S. Among rural counties, the average daily increase in COVID-19 mortality rates has been significantly higher in counties with the largest percentages of Black and Hispanic residents.
Food Insufficiency During The Coronavirus Response, Lauryn Quick, Colleen Heflin
Food Insufficiency During The Coronavirus Response, Lauryn Quick, Colleen Heflin
Population Health Research Brief Series
The coronavirus pandemic has created widespread economic disruption, exacerbating American household food insufficiency.
Disparities In Vulnerability To Severe Complications From Covid-19 In The United States, Emily E. Wiemers, Scott Abrahams, Marwa Alfakhri, V. Joseph Holtz, Robert F. Schoeni, Judith A. Seltzer
Disparities In Vulnerability To Severe Complications From Covid-19 In The United States, Emily E. Wiemers, Scott Abrahams, Marwa Alfakhri, V. Joseph Holtz, Robert F. Schoeni, Judith A. Seltzer
Population Health Research Brief Series
Preexisting health conditions increase vulnerability to severe complications from COVID-19. Among middle-aged and older Americans, vulnerability to severe COVID-19 complications based on preexisting conditions is 2-3 times greater for those with low versus high income. Vulnerability is about 40% higher for middle-aged and older adults with a high school degree or less than adults with a four-year college degree. In every age group, Blacks are more vulnerable than Whites, but Hispanics are at lower risk based on fewer preexisting health conditions.
Rural Ohio Faces High Health Risk During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Danielle Rhubart, Shannon M. Monnat, Yue Sun
Rural Ohio Faces High Health Risk During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Danielle Rhubart, Shannon M. Monnat, Yue Sun
Population Health Research Brief Series
Ohio was among the first states to implement interventions to reduce community spread during the early stages of COVID-19. These actions came with strong pushback from leaders in many of the state’s rural counties. Residents of Ohio's most rural counties are at high risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.