Correlation of Social Determinants of Health, Poverty, and Political Participation With COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
HU, Sophia
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/2022IYRC19
Category: Social Science
Abstract – Vaccine hesitancy and vaccine resistance have prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic, directly impacting lives. This study explores social determinants of health that limit COVID-19 vaccine uptake: race, ethnicity, participation in politics, underlying conditions or diseases, and poverty. This study analyzed data from the Kaiser Family Foundation by race (White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian) and by state for 36 different states. Only COVID-19 vaccination rates for Whites correlate with the social determinants mentioned above. For Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, there seems to be no apparent trend nor correlation with the social determinants, which is supported by an evaluation of the p-values (<0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine resistance is rooted in a much deeper issue: race. Additionally, it could suggest perhaps both a cultural divide and a personal bias for the different races and ethnicities when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. However, further research is required to understand the roots of COVID-19 vaccine resistance. These insights can guide public health campaigns and policies worldwide to maximize vaccination uptake and overcome vaccine resistance, particularly in underserved populations.