Racial and Ethnic Differences in Self-Reported COVID-19 Exposure Risks, Concerns, and Behaviors Among Diverse Participants in the Women's Health Initiative Study

Background Racial and ethnic disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk are well-documented; however, few studies in older adults have examined multiple factors related to COVID-19 exposure, concerns, and behaviors or conducted race- and ethnicity-stratified analyses. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) provides a unique opportunity to address those gaps.Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of WHI data from a supplemental survey of 48 492 older adults (mean age 84 years). In multivariable-adjusted modified Poisson regression analyses, we examined predisposing factors and COVID-19 exposure risk, concerns, and behaviors. We hypothesized that women from minoritized racial or ethnic groups, compared to non-Hispanic White women, would be more likely to report: exposure to COVID-19, a family or friend dying from COVID-19, difficulty getting routine medical care or deciding to forego care to avoid COVID-19 exposure, and having concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.Results Asian women and non-Hispanic Black/African American women had a higher risk of being somewhat/very concerned about risk of getting COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic White women and each was significantly more likely than non-Hispanic White women to report forgoing medical care to avoid COVID-19 exposure. However, Asian women were 35% less likely than non-Hispanic White women to report difficulty getting routine medical care since March 2020 (adjusted relative risk 0.65; 95% confidence interval 0.57, 0.75).Conclusions We documented COVID-related racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 exposure risk, concerns, and care-related behaviors that disfavored minoritized racial and ethnic groups, particularly non-Hispanic Black/African American women.

Automated summary

This study found that Asian women and non-Hispanic Black/African American women were more likely to be concerned about the risk of getting COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic White women, and they were also more likely to forego medical care due to COVID-19 concerns. However, Asian women were less likely to have difficulty accessing routine medical care since March 2020 compared to non-Hispanic White women.