Disproportionate Rates of COVID-19 Among Black Canadian Communities: Lessons from a Cross-Sectional Study in the First Year of the Pandemic
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Published:2024-01-22
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ISSN:2197-3792
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Container-title:Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
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language:en
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Short-container-title:J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Author:
Allen Upton D.ORCID, Barton Michelle, Upton Julia, Bailey Annette, Campigotto Aaron, Abdulnoor Mariana, Julien Jean-Philippe, Gubbay Jonathan, Kissoon Niranjan, Litosh Alice, La Neve Maria-Rosa, Wong Peter, Allen Andrew, Bailey Renee, Byrne Walter, Jagoowani Ranjeeta, Phillips Chantal, Merreles-Pulcini Manuela, Polack Alicia, Prescod Cheryl, Siddiqi Arjumand, Summers Alexander, Thompson Kimberly, Thompson Sylvanus, James Carl, Appelt Pamela, Awuku Mark, Bailey Paul, Collins Janet, Gebremikael Liben, Gumb Jenny, Mengesha Tesfai, Patterson Adaoma, Prescod Cheryl, Richardson Noelle, Thompson Sylvanus, Welch Nicole,
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Racialized communities, including Black Canadians, have disproportionately higher COVID-19 cases. We examined the extent to which SARS-CoV-2 infection has affected the Black Canadian community and the factors associated with the infection.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an area of Ontario (northwest Toronto/Peel Region) with a high proportion of Black residents along with 2 areas that have lower proportions of Black residents (Oakville and London, Ontario). SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were determined using the EUROIMMUN assay. The study was conducted between August 15, 2020, and December 15, 2020.
Results
Among 387 evaluable subjects, the majority, 273 (70.5%), were enrolled from northwest Toronto and adjoining suburban areas of Peel, Ontario. The seropositivity values for Oakville and London were comparable (3.3% (2/60; 95% CI 0.4–11.5) and 3.9% (2/51; 95% CI 0.5–13.5), respectively). Relative to these areas, the seropositivity was higher for the northwest Toronto/Peel area at 12.1% (33/273), relative risk (RR) 3.35 (1.22–9.25). Persons 19 years of age or less had the highest seropositivity (10/50; 20.0%, 95% CI 10.3–33.7%), RR 2.27 (1.23–3.59). There was a trend for an interaction effect between race and location of residence as this relates to the relative risk of seropositivity.
Interpretation
During the early phases of the pandemic, the seropositivity within a COVID-19 high-prevalence zone was threefold greater than lower prevalence areas of Ontario. Black individuals were among those with the highest seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2.
Funder
Hospital for Sick Children Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Health Policy,Sociology and Political Science,Anthropology,Health (social science)
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