COVID-19 in New York City: An Ecology of Race and Class Oppression

This book is the first social epidemiological study of COVID-19 spread in New York City (NYC), the primary epicenter of the United States. It explores the rapid rise of NYC case and mortality rates, which were heavily influenced by decades of public policies that destroyed poor neighborhoods of color. The study highlights the impact of these policies on premature mortality rates, accelerated aging due to chronic stress, and the destruction of human diversity needed to ride out crises. The book is essential reading for social epidemiologists, public health researchers, and those in public service tasked with addressing health disparities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 77 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2020
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book is a groundbreaking social epidemiological study of the spread of COVID-19 in New York City (NYC), the primary epicenter of the United States during the pandemic. It delves into the complex factors that contributed to the rapid and severe rise of COVID-19 cases and deaths in NYC, highlighting the role of epicenter formation, public policies, and demographic trends.

The book begins by examining the context of epicenter formation, which played a crucial role in the rapid spread of COVID-19 in NYC. Factors such as population density, transportation patterns, and social interactions contributed to the high transmission rates within the city. Decades of public policies that targeted poor neighborhoods of color, often leading to disinvestment, segregation, and limited access to healthcare, further exacerbated the spread within the City.

The study reveals that COVID-19 had a particularly devastating impact on communities with high proportions of prematurely aged residents. These communities, often characterized by chronic stress and social isolation, experienced accelerated aging due to the stress of the pandemic. The elderly were particularly vulnerable to severe illness and mortality from COVID-19, leading to a disproportionate number of deaths in these populations.

Furthermore, the book explores the geography of premature death rates in New York City, highlighting the disparities between different neighborhoods. It demonstrates that communities with high proportions of Black and Latinx residents faced higher premature death rates compared to their white counterparts. This reflects the long-standing health disparities that exist in the City, with marginalized communities facing systemic barriers to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

The chapters in the book cover a range of topics related to COVID-19 in NYC, including the use of COVID markers at the ZIP code level, the impact of Prospero's New Castles: COVID Infection and Premature Mortality in the NY Metro Region, the challenges of pandemic firefighting versus pandemic fire prevention, and the conclusion that scales of time in disasters play a significant role in understanding the spread of COVID-19.

This book is an essential resource for social epidemiologists, public health researchers of health disparities, those in public service tasked with addressing these problems, and infectious disease scientists who focus on the spread of new zoonotic diseases in human populations. It also appeals to students in these fields, civil rights scholars, science writers, medical anthropologists, and sociologists.

The study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of social, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to health disparities and the urgent need for policies that promote equity and social justice. It serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of health inequalities and promoting a more inclusive and resilient society.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030596231
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021