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Title: Commuting Network Spillovers and COVID-19 Deaths Across US Counties
This study explored how population mobility flows form commuting networks across US counties and influence the spread of COVID-19. We utilized 3-level mixed effects negative binomial regression models to estimate the impact of network COVID-19 exposure on county confirmed cases and deaths over time. We also conducted weighting-based analyses to estimate the causal effect of network exposure. Results showed that commuting networks matter for COVID-19 deaths and cases, net of spatial proximity, socioeconomic, and demographic factors. Different local racial and ethnic concentrations are also associated with unequal outcomes. These findings suggest that commuting is an important causal mechanism in the spread of COVID-19 and highlight the significance of interconnected of communities. The results suggest that local level mitigation and prevention efforts are more effective when complemented by similar efforts in the network of connected places. Implications for research on inequality in health and flexible work arrangements are discussed.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2041759
PAR ID:
10287270
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
ArXivorg
ISSN:
2331-8422
Page Range / eLocation ID:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2010.01101
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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