Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats at University of Michigan

Timing of Infection as a Key Driver of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Mortality Rates During the Prevaccine Period

Feb 24, 2025

Authors: Jon Zelner,

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In a study led by recent UM PhD graduate Ramya Naraharisetti and MCIDT Affiliate Jon Zelner, the authors found that a key factor in the mortality rate gap between Black and White Michigan residents during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic was differing infection timelines and the ability to “wait out” high case fatality rate periods

Key Terms: Coronavirus, Pandemic, Disparities

Proportions of deaths that could potentially have been averted if minoritized Michigan residents had experienced the same timing of infection as white residents during 2020. Vertical lines indicate the width of 95% posterior credible intervals. Abbreviation: AAPI, Asian American or Pacific Islander. 17% AAPI, 35% Black, and 9% of Latino Deaths could have been averted
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