An Ecologic Study of Disparities in COVID-19 Incidence and Case Fatality in Oakland County, MI, USA, During a State-Mandated Shutdown

The study conducted in Oakland County, MI, during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic found that zip codes with a higher percentage of Black residents experienced a 2-3% increase in COVID-19 incidence for each percentage increase in Black population, even after adjusting for social determinants of health such as income, education, and household size. However, there was no significant association between the percentage of Black residents and COVID-19 case fatality rates. The study highlighted the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black communities and suggested that racial composition might indicate unmeasured neighborhood factors that increase exposure risk. It emphasized the need for policies to address health disparities and improve the health of Black and ethnic minority populations.