Pre-existing Economic Conditions and Positive COVID-19 Cases in New York City

Objectives. We investigated the association of pre-existing economic variables with COVID-19 infections and mortality in New York City.Methods. We combined zip code-level data from New York City's Department of Health with 5-year American Community Survey. We estimated ordinary least squares models of prevalence of positive COVID-19 test results and deaths per 100,000 population. Results. We found that zip codes with higher concentrations of residents living in crowded living quarters, employees in high-risk occupations, and employees commuting more than half an hour were positively and significantly associated with higher infection rates. Higher rates of crowded housing were also significantly and positively related to mortality rates, though the positive point estimates for the other two economic variables were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Economic factors such as working and living conditions beyond the common measures such as income and poverty can have important public health effects. Policy makers should take these associations in consideration while designing and modifying public health policies