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.

Only 54% of Medicare patients referred to home health care services following a hospitalization received home health care visits. Policymakers must address this discrepancy to ensure all patients receive the home health services they need.

Living near fast food has a greater impact on younger children who attend neighborhood schools. Proximity to fast food restaurants increases the probability of childhood obesity or overweight.

Given the challenges faced by the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities within the U.S. this year, it is more important than ever to ensure BIPOC college students are provided with access to mental health care.

The decision to reopen some U.S. universities during the current COVID-19 pandemic may be tied to private financial interests in student housing.

Conservative state policies are killing Americans. U.S. life expectancy gains since 2010 would be 25% greater for women & 13% greater for men if state policies hadn’t become more conservative.

COVID-19 has created numerous challenges for Americans in their ability to meet their basic needs. One specific economic challenge is the ability to pay mortgage or rent.

The coronavirus pandemic has created widespread economic disruption, exacerbating American household food insufficiency.

The overuse of police force has public health implications. The rates of injury and death sustained while in law enforcement custody should be collected as a part of the public health strategy to minimize the over-use of force.

Non-combat and combat veterans without a PD or TBI are less likely than nonveterans to be daily drinkers.

Georgia is a “right to work” state, in which teachers can be fired or have their state license revoked if they strike or utilize collective bargaining. This leaves few legal options for teachers to challenge the state mandate to reopen without adequate preparation.

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.

The effects of redlining remain prominent nearly a century later and continue to contribute to racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities.

In times of public health crises, like COVID-19, a country’s residents must be able to access valid, timely, and evidence-based information that can guide behaviors and prevention strategies. Disinformation undermines these efforts and represents an existential threat to U.S. population health.

Residents of Ohio's most rural counties are at high risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.

National COVID-19 trends mask large differences in trends across U.S. states. Reductions in March & April were due almost entirely to declines in New York. The failure of other states to enact strong physical distancing protocols and/or reopening too early has led to our current national surge in cases.

COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania have been concentrated in eastern urban counties this far. However, the 14-day incident rate has recently begun increasing in several rural counties that have high prevalence of several chronic health conditions that increase risk of severe complications and death from COVID-19.

The deadliest weather-related health outcomes in the U.S. are heat-related. Older adults – especially those in the most urban and rural areas of the US - are at high risk of heat-related death.

Adults with intellectual and/or developmental disability living in group homes in New York are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including death.