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Factors Associated with COVID-19 Mitigation Behavior among US Adults

Lemke, D.; Lemke, K.

2020-07-25 public and global health
10.1101/2020.07.20.20157925 medRxiv
Show abstract

In early 2020, the CDC issued guidelines for personal COVID-19 mitigation behavior, such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, and social-distancing. We examine individual socio-behavioral factors that potentially predict mitigation compliance using public data. Our analysis finds that pandemic prompted strong mitigation behavior by adults, especially among females, non-whites, urban dwellers, and the psychological unwell. Other positive predictors were post-secondary education and higher income. Health symptoms and clinical risk factors did not predict increased mitigation practices, nor did age 65+ and proximity to infected persons. Our study findings are congruent with a report that pointed to a lack of increased pandemic mitigation practices in households with confirmed infections and health risks. We also point to lower levels of psychological resilience, lower socio-economic status, and non-urban location as potential explanatory factors for lack of mitigation behavior. Understanding what factors are associated with mitigation behavior will be important for policy makers in their efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

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