publication . Article . 2021

Community Risk Factors in the COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in Catalonia (Spain). A Population-Based Study

Quim Zaldo-Aubanell; Ferran Campillo i López; Albert Bach; Isabel Serra; Joan Olivet-Vila; Marc Saez; David Pino; Roser Maneja;

Open Access

Published: 04 Apr 2021

Publisher: MDPI

Country: Spain

Summary

Abstract

The heterogenous distribution of both COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Catalonia (Spain) during the firsts moths of the pandemic suggests that differences in baseline risk factors across regions might play a relevant role in modulating the outcome of the pandemic. This paper investigates the associations between both COVID-19 incidence and mortality and air pollutant concentration levels, and screens the potential effect of the type of agri-food industry and the overall land use and cover (LULC) at area level. We used a main model with demographic, socioeconomic and comorbidity covariates highlighted in previous research as important predictors. This allowed us to take a glimpse of the independent effect of the explanatory variables when controlled for the main model covariates. Our findings are aligned with previous research showing that the baseline features of the regions in terms of general health status, pollutant concentration levels (here NO2 and PM10), type of agri-food industry, and type of land use and land cover have modulated the impact of COVID-19 at a regional scale. This study is among the first to explore the associations between COVID-19 and the type of agri-food industry and LULC data using a population-based approach. The results of this paper might serve as the basis to develop new research hypotheses using a more comprehensive approach, highlighting the inequalities of regions in terms of risk factors and their response to COVID-19, as well as fostering public policies towards more resilient and safer environments.

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Contaminantes del aire; Enfermedades cardiovasculares; Desórdenes psicológicos

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Contaminants atmosfèrics; Malalties cardiovasculars; Trastorns psicològics

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Air pollutants; Cardiovascular diseases; Psychological disorders

Persistent Identifiers

doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073768

handle: 10261/255632 , 2117/343650

pmc: PMC8038505

Fields of Science and Technology classification (FOS)

01 natural sciences, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, 010501 environmental sciences, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, 030212 general & internal medicine

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

2. Zero hunger, 11. Sustainability

Subjects

Medical Subject Headings: virusesvirus diseasesskin and connective tissue diseasesfungibody regions

free text keywords: COVID-19 (Malaltia) - Factors de risc - Catalunya, Aire - Contaminació, Indústria agroalimentària, :Virus Diseases::RNA Virus Infections::Nidovirales Infections::Coronaviridae Infections::Coronavirus Infections [DISEASES], :Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Statistics as Topic::Probability::Risk::Risk Factors [ANALYTICAL, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES, AND EQUIPMENT], :Chemical Actions and Uses::Toxic Actions::Environmental Pollutants::Air Pollutants [CHEMICALS AND DRUGS], :Environmental Health::Science::Contamination::Industrial Pollution::Industry::Agribusiness [PUBLIC HEALTH], Catalonia, :virosis::infecciones por virus ARN::infecciones por Nidovirales::infecciones por Coronaviridae::infecciones por Coronavirus [ENFERMEDADES], :técnicas de investigación::métodos epidemiológicos::estadística como asunto::probabilidad::riesgo::factores de riesgo [TÉCNICAS Y EQUIPOS ANALÍTICOS, DIAGNÓSTICOS Y TERAPÉUTICOS], :acciones y usos químicos::acciones tóxicas::contaminantes ambientales::contaminantes atmosféricos [COMPUESTOS QUÍMICOS Y DROGAS], :salud ambiental::ciencia::contaminación::contaminación industrial::industria::agroindustria [SALUD PÚBLICA], Cataluña, COVID-19, Air pollutants, Cardiovascular diseases, Psychological disorders, Cancer, Agri-food industry, Land use and land cover data, COVID-19, Air pollutants, Cardiovascular diseases, Psychological disorders, Cancer, Agri-food industry, Land use and land cover data, :Ciències de la salut::Aspectes socials [Àrees temàtiques de la UPC], COVID-19 (Disease), COVID-19 (Malaltia) -- Aspectes socials, Pandèmia de COVID-19, 2020-, COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-, Aire -- Contaminació, Air -- Pollution, Sistema cardiovascular -- Malalties, Cardiovascular system -- Diseases, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Article, lcsh:Medicine, lcsh:R, Scale (social sciences), Geography, Distribution (economics), business.industry, business, Socioeconomic status, Land use, Baseline (configuration management), Incidence (epidemiology), Land cover, Population, education.field_of_study, education, Environmental health

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