Income inequality and COVID-19 in the USA

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effects of inequality in income distribution, gender, race and education on incidence and mortality rates of COVID-19 in the USA. For this purpose, a cross-sectional model was estimated for a sample of 2805 US counties. The results obtained allow us to conclude that inequality in all its aspects posed a risk factor for incidence rate and, particularly, for mortality from COVID-19. Other results obtained show that access to healthcare, education attained, ease of adaptation to teleworking, vaccination and healthy lifestyle habits were key factors affecting incidence and mortality.