Assessing the effect of socio-economic features of low-income communities and COVID-19 related cases: An empirical study of New York City

Abstract

This study examined the effect of socio-economic features of low-income communities and COVID-19 related cases in New York City. The study developed hypotheses and conceptual framework of low-income communities and COVID-19 associated cases based on literature and theoretical review. The proposed framework was then tested using Structural Equation Model (SEM) with secondary data collected from New York Health and Mental Hygiene Department, US Census Bureau, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings revealed that unfavourable working conditions, underlying health conditions, and poor living conditions significantly and positively affects the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases. The study further revealed a positive and significant relationship between confirmed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths. Theoretically, this study provides empirical results and a conceptual framework that could be used by other researchers to investigate low-income communities and COVID-19 related topics. Practically, this study called on the federal and state governments to effectively apply the health justice approach to eliminate healthcare discrimination for people living in low-income and marginalised communities as well as providing accessible, safe housing for the more vulnerable who need a place to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. Further practical and theoretical implications policies are discussed.