The effect of socioeconomic factors and healthcare access indicators on COVID-19 vaccination rates within U.S. communities
Open Access
- Author:
- Rater, Isabella
- Area of Honors:
- Health Policy and Administration
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Yunfeng Shi, Thesis Supervisor
Selena E Ortiz, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- COVID-19 in the U.S.
healthcare access
COVID-19 vaccine distribution
COVID-19 vaccination - Abstract:
- PURPOSE: This thesis aims to evaluate the influence of key indicators of healthcare access, socioeconomic factors, and population demographics on COVID-19 vaccination rates among U.S. counties. Moreover, this thesis also serves to examine COVID-19 vaccination rates across the rural-urban continuum. Additionally, we provide insights that illuminate the indicators and behaviors that may be strategically utilized to assist policymakers on COVID-19 vaccination and mitigation strategies. METHODS: We use a three-pronged multivariate linear regression model to analyze the association of health-related factors with COVID-19 vaccination uptake at important phases during the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process. Time 1 signifies the initial phases of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution period when vaccines were moderately accessible; Time 2 signifies one month after the FDA approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine; and Time 3 signifies the end of the vaccination rollout period when the vaccine was widely available to most. To examine the leading research questions, we employ two prominent datasets: 1] the 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) national dataset from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, and 2] the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national database for COVID-19 vaccinations at the county level. RESULTS: The notable findings throughout all three time periods show statistically significant associations among uninsurance rates, the prevalence of primary care providers per 100,000 population, and the proportion of American Indian and Alaska Native individuals on COVID-19 vaccination coverage.