Associations Between Governor Political Affiliation and COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, and Testing in the U.S.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic became increasingly politicized in the U.S., and the political affiliation of state leaders may contribute to policies affecting the spread of the disease. This study examines the differences in COVID-19 infection, death, and testing by governor party affiliation across the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Methods

A longitudinal analysis was conducted in December 2020 examining COVID-19 incidence, death, testing, and test positivity rates from March 15, 2020 through December 15, 2020. A Bayesian negative binomial model was fit to estimate the daily risk ratios and posterior intervals comparing rates by gubernatorial party affiliation. The analyses adjusted for state population density, rurality, Census region, ag

SUBMITTER: Neelon B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8217134 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature