Date of Award

1-1-2020

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Melinda Irwin

Second Advisor

Judy Lichtman

Abstract

The current federal response of the United States to the COVID-19 pandemic has created conditions and resulted in unintended consequences that may be disproportionately increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection and sequelae for immigrant populations. This investigative thesis explores whether states with a greater percentage of Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries experience more COVID-19 related deaths as compared to the rest of the United States. Using a multiple linear regression model for statistical analysis, covariates under consideration include the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, tests performed, hospitalizations reported, as well as the population density of each state and the proportion of state residents that are 65 years of age and older. Additionally, secondary models will consider the number of United States children in immigrant families per state and the percent of state residents that are foreign-born non-citizens. This will be done to better understand the unique associations that Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries may have as compared to other immigrant populations such as asylees, refugees, conditional residents, and those who are undocumented. The findings of this study provide evidence to suggest that the number of Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries in a state does not significantly impact the number of COVID-19 reported deaths. This is, however, a preliminary study and there remains a discrepancy in the literature from these findings that shows immigrants often experience a shortage of resources, systemic discrimination, and are more likely to be employees in “essential jobs.” All of which are factors that increase opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 exposure. To identify the true immigration status and COVID-19 disease buren, it is important to seek more relevant data, improve upon methods for analyzing the immigrant experience, and follow-up to this study with more and varying types of research studies across the US and over lengthier periods of time.

Open Access

This Article is Open Access

Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

COinS