VA Research and Operations Uniting to Combat COVID-19 Inequities

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Geographic and temporal variation in racial and ethnic disparities in SARS-CoV-2 positivity between February 2020 and August 2021 in the United States

Jacqueline M. Ferguson et al.

Summary: The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority communities in the United States. However, the disparities have decreased over time, with Hispanic individuals showing a reduced but still elevated disparity, and disparities among Asian individuals reversing. These findings provide important insights for strategies to prevent further outbreaks.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2022)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Socioeconomic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic for Veterans with psychosis or recent homelessness

Amanda McCleery et al.

Summary: The study found that veterans faced significant socioeconomic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with differences in the types of difficulties experienced across different groups. RHV were more likely to experience financial issues and material hardships compared to the other groups, while CTL were most vulnerable to negative financial shocks.

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY (2022)

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Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Temporal variation in individual social risk factors associated with testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 among veterans in the veterans health administration

Jacqueline M. Ferguson et al.

Summary: The study examined the impact of social risk factors on SARS-CoV-2 infection among US Veterans over the first 12 months of the pandemic. It found that larger household size was a persistent risk factor, and the association between county-level population density and infection risk varied during the pandemic.

ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY (2022)

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Article Immunology

The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States

Don Bambino Geno Tai et al.

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected minority groups like African American, Native American, and LatinX communities with higher death rates. These disparities may be caused by biomedical factors and social determinants of health. Minority groups are more likely to have chronic medical conditions and lower access to healthcare, leading to worse COVID-19 outcomes.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2021)

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Article Medicine, General & Internal

Early initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation for prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in patients admitted to hospital in the United States: cohort study

Christopher T. Rentsch et al.

Summary: The study found that early initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation was associated with decreased risk of 30 day mortality among patients hospitalized with covid-19 in the United States, without increasing the risk of serious bleeding events.

BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (2021)

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Article Geriatrics & Gerontology

Proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive tests and vaccination in Veterans Affairs Community Living Centers

James L. Rudolph et al.

Summary: The proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive tests significantly declined in VA Community Living Centers (CLCs) 4 weeks after vaccine delivery and continued to decline in vaccinated and unvaccinated residents. The results highlight the importance of surveillance and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in nursing home residents.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Time Trends in Racial/Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Infection and Mortality

Michelle S. Wong et al.

Summary: This study examined the racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection and mortality over three time periods in the United States. The higher risk groups for COVID-19 infection and mortality changed over time, with different racial/ethnic groups experiencing disparities at different stages of the pandemic. It is important for policymakers to consider these dynamic disparities as the pandemic evolves and to assess the potential impact of risk mitigation and other policies on these disparities. Researchers should also explore how disparities change over time in different samples.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH (2021)

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Article Computer Science, Information Systems

Virtual care expansion in the Veterans Health Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic: clinical services and patient characteristics associated with utilization

Jacqueline M. Ferguson et al.

Summary: During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual care saw a significant increase within Veterans Affairs, particularly among patients with higher clinical or social needs. However, older, homeless, and rural Veterans were less likely to utilize video care, indicating potential access barriers that need to be addressed to prevent exacerbating disparities.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION (2021)

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