COVID-19 Pandemic
Health, Healthcare, and Psychosocial Experiences among Latine and non-Latine Iowans during the COVID-19 Pandemic (March – September 2021) Crystal Garcia-Auguste* Crystal Garcia-Auguste Breanna Blaess Miriam Velez-Bermudez Jonathan Platt Ryan Carnahan Jacob Oleson Natoshia Askelson Mary Charlton Nicholas Rudzianski Brian Gryzlak Elizabeth Chrischilles
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected racialized minorities and urban/rural areas in the United States (US). We compared COVID-19 perceptions, behaviors, psychosocial experiences, and healthcare disruptions between Latine and non-Latine residents in Iowa.
Methods: Bilingual surveys were mailed March 2021 to 2,500 households from 32 Latine-majority census block groups in 4 rural (n=1,251) and 5 urban (n=1,249) counties. Age-adjusted means/frequencies were calculated using linear regression for continuous/binary variables and logistic regression for categorical variables with direct age standardization (Latine subsample as reference).
Results: Among 536 respondents (53% rural, 21% Latine), Latine individuals were younger, more often employed, born outside the US, living in multigenerational homes, and less likely to be health insured. Latine respondents reported greater COVID-19 exposures (e.g. household member test positive: 43.9% vs 16.7%, p<.001), longer test result waits (41.6 vs 5.6 days, p=.012), greater community concern about COVID-19 (53.2% vs 35.8%, p=.012), stronger social distancing support (85.56% vs 52.08%, p<.001), and more risk-reducing behaviors (e.g. staying home: 90.4% vs 70.7%, p<.001; masking inside: 98.8% vs 94.2%, p=.030). Latine reported greater anxiety symptoms (p<.001), disruptions to daily activities and social interactions (p=.044), financial hardship (p=.006), and psychological benefits (p<.001). They were also more likely to report weight loss (p<.001) and less likely to report increased alcohol use (p=.014) or smoking (p<.001) compared to pre-pandemic. No significant differences emerged in cancer screening delays.
Conclusion: Latine residents experienced more COVID-19 exposures, greater positive and negative psychosocial impacts, and practiced more risk-reducing behaviors than non-Latine residents. Investing in Latine communities in public health emergencies may bolster positive outcomes and address disparities.