Association between distance to community health care facilities and COVID-19–related mortality across U.S. counties in the COVID-19–vaccine era

Abstract

Abstract Objective COVID-19 has caused tremendous damage to U.S. public health, but COVID vaccines can effectively reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections and related mortality. Our study aimed to quantify the association between proximity to a community healthcare facility and COVID-19 related mortality after COVID vaccines became publicly available and explore how this association varied across racial and ethnic groups. Results Residents living farther from a facility had higher COVID-19–related mortality across U.S. counties. This increased mortality incidence associated with longer distances was particularly pronounced in counties with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic populations.

Keywords

• COVID-19 mortality
• Social determinant of health
• Health disparities
• Geographic proximity
• Healthcare access
• Racial disparities