Eastern Kentucky University
Sociological Explanations of Coronavirus Incidence Rates in Kentucky Counties
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Majors in Forensic Science with Biology concentration and Sociology
Minor
Chemistry
KY House District #
24
KY Senate District #
14
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
James N. Maples, PhD
Department
Dept of Language & Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology
Abstract
This study explores sociological explanations for Covid-19 incidence rates among Kentucky Counties. The authors examine how incidence rates varied pre/post-Omicron variant based on a county's educational attainment, poverty rates, political perspective, health status, and place status (Appalachian status, metropolitan status). The authors discovered that none of these variables effectively explained differences in county-level Covid-19 rates before Omicron. However, once Omicron became the prevalent variant in Kentucky, metropolitan status, Appalachian status, two measures of poverty rates, political perspective, and three measures of educational attainment all predicted differences in mean Covid-19 incidence rates.
Sociological Explanations of Coronavirus Incidence Rates in Kentucky Counties
This study explores sociological explanations for Covid-19 incidence rates among Kentucky Counties. The authors examine how incidence rates varied pre/post-Omicron variant based on a county's educational attainment, poverty rates, political perspective, health status, and place status (Appalachian status, metropolitan status). The authors discovered that none of these variables effectively explained differences in county-level Covid-19 rates before Omicron. However, once Omicron became the prevalent variant in Kentucky, metropolitan status, Appalachian status, two measures of poverty rates, political perspective, and three measures of educational attainment all predicted differences in mean Covid-19 incidence rates.