Alarming Disparities in COVID-19 Death Rates Across Immigration Statuses in California

Strategic Insights -

California's communities have faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with existing divisions based on immigration status exacerbating the impact on public health. A recent research project led by Alicia Riley, an associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Cruz, has shed light on a disturbing pattern of excess mortality among potentially undocumented immigrants. By modeling pandemic-related mortality in California adults across various immigration statuses and socioeconomic factors, the study revealed stark disparities in death rates. Potentially undocumented immigrants experienced a 55% increase in death rate above pre-pandemic levels, compared to 22% among documented immigrants and 12% among U.S.-born citizens.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that pandemic-period relative excess mortality was twice as high among potentially undocumented immigrants as among those who appeared to be documented immigrants.
  • Between March 2020 and May 2023, there was an estimated 55% increase in the death rate above pre-pandemic levels among potentially undocumented immigrants.
  • This increase was significantly higher compared to 22% among immigrants who appeared to be documented and 12% among U.S.-born citizens.
  • Alicia Riley's main takeaway from the study was the shocking 55% increase in deaths above normal prior levels among potentially undocumented immigrants, which has community-level consequences.
  • Families are still living with the consequences of those deaths today.

Statistics:

  • Pandemic-period relative excess mortality was twice as high among potentially undocumented immigrants as among those who appeared to be documented immigrants.
  • The death rate increased by 55% among potentially undocumented immigrants between March 2020 and May 2023, compared to 22% among documented immigrants and 12% among U.S.-born citizens.
  • The study modeled pandemic-related mortality in California adults across various immigration statuses and socioeconomic factors.

Sources:

  • [1] A news article from the University of California, Santa Cruz, concerning the research project.

Note: The provided text is the only source mentioned, and as such, there is only one source listed.