SARS-CoV-2: An Empirical Investigation of Rose's Population-based Logic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Geoffrey Rose's paper "Sick Individuals, Sick Populations" highlights the counterintuitive finding that the largest share of morbidity arises from populations engaging in low- to moderate-risk behavior. Scholars refer to this finding as the prevention paradox. We examine whether this logic applies to SARS-CoV-2 infected persons considered low to moderate risk.

Methods

We conducted a population-representative survey and sero-surveillance study for SARS-CoV-2 among adults in Orange County, California. Participants answered questions about health behaviors and provided a finger-pin-prick sample from 10 July to 16 August 2020.

Results

Of the 2979 adults, those reporting low- and moderate-risk behavior accounted for between 78% and 92% of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

SUBMITTER: Bruckner T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8478111 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature