Spatial Analysis of Racial Capitalism and COVID-19 in Louisiana

Abstract

Background . Louisiana has experienced one of the highest COVID-19 burdens in the United States. This article seeks to investigate the geospatial pattern of COVID-19 in Louisiana using the perspective of racial capitalism. Methods . Using data from the Louisiana Department of Health and American Community Survey, we employed spatial autoregressive models to assess how racial income disparity between White and Black residents connected to COVID-19 cases in Louisiana parishes, controlling for other parish-level characteristics. Results . Greater racial income disparity between White and Black residents yielded more COVID-19 cases in Louisiana parishes. A rise in income had a buffering effect on the role of racial income disparity aggravating COVID-19 severity. Conclusions . African Americans from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were likely at a higher risk of COVID-19 in the state of Louisiana. Based on Louisiana's unique historical and sociocultural contexts, implications are further discussed.