Association of Age-Specific 2020 Florida COVID-19 Rates With Population Age Distribution and Presidential Preference. Issue 3 (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bernet, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health management and practice. Volume 27:Issue 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- political affiliation -- population age structure; Public health administration -- United States -- Periodicals; 253.6
• DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-4659

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To assess whether county age distribution is associated with age-specific COVID-19 infection, emergency department, hospitalization, and mortality rates. Design: Florida's 2020 COVID-19 cases are summarized into age-specific county rates and supplemented with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and 2020 presidential voting results to assess the association of population age structure and political choices with age-specific COVID-19 infection, emergency, hospitalization, and mortality rates. Results: Younger counties experienced higher under-25 infection rates, as well as higher over-64 infection, emergency, and hospitalization rates. Older counties experienced reduced infection rates for all ages and decreased over-64 emergency and hospitalization rates. Trump's vote share was associated with higher infection rates for all and higher over-64 emergency, hospitalization, and mortality rates. Conclusions: Younger counties experience higher COVID-19 infection rates for all residents, with elevated morbidity risks among seniors. Older counties had lower COVID-19 infection, emergency, and hospitalization rates. Age-specific messaging may help slow pandemic spread.