Special Populations-Rural, Conservative Communities
Rural, conservative communities
across Wisconsin hold low vaccination rates [
1], of
which puts them at greater risk of infection. As shown, a Wisconsinite’s 2020
presidential candidate preference is mostly predictive of their likelihood to
become vaccinated [
2]. Furthermore, according to the
CDC, “Rural communities often have a higher proportion of residents who lack
health insurance, live with comorbidities or disabilities, are aged ≥65 years,
and have limited access to health care facilities with intensive care
capabilities” [
3]. Ultimately, such variables impose
an increased risk of COVID related hospitalization and death for these
communities [
4].
Sources:
- Wisconsin Watch (2021, April 26). Report: Vaccination rates trend lower in Wisconsin counties favoring Donald Trump — 4/26/21. https://wisconsinwatch.org/2021/04/report-vaccination-rates-trend-lower-in-wisconsin-counties-favoring-donald-trump-4-26-21/
- Cushman, W., & Knutsen, K. (2021, June 10). The peculiar divergence in COVID vaccinations around Milwaukee’s republican hinterland. PBS Wisconsin. https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/the-peculiar-divergence-in-covid-vaccinations-around-milwaukees-republican-hinterland/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage between urban and rural counties — United States, December 14, 2020–April 10, 2021. Weekly, 70(20), 759-764. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7020e3
- Christensen, J. (2021, May 18). Slow uptake of Covid-19 vaccine in rural areas could hinder the end of the pandemic, CDC says. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/18/health/rural-covid-19-vaccination-rate-slow/index.html
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