Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts. Observational study: A study in which the subject is observed to see if there is a relationship between two or more things (eg: the consumption of diet drinks and obesity). Observational studies cannot prove that one thing causes another, only that they are linked. People: This is a study based on research using people.
A study which examined over 500,000 deaths in Florida and Ohio during the pandemic has found that death rates were significantly higher for Republican voters than Democratic voters after COVID-19 vaccines became available to adults, but not before. The authors say the findings suggest that differences in vaccination attitudes and reported uptake between Republican and Democratic voters may have been factors in the severity and trajectory of the pandemic in the U.S.
Media release
JAMA
Excess Death Rates for Republican and Democratic Registered Voters in Florida and Ohio During Pandemic
JAMA Internal Medicine
Original Investigation
About The Study: In this study evaluating 538,000 deaths in individuals ages 25 and older in Florida and Ohio between March 2020 and December 2021, excess mortality was significantly higher for Republican voters than Democratic voters after COVID-19 vaccines were available to all adults, but not before. These findings suggest that differences in vaccination attitudes and reported uptake between Republican and Democratic voters may have been factors in the severity and trajectory of the pandemic in the U.S.
Authors: Jacob Wallace, Ph.D., of the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut, is the corresponding author.
(doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.1154)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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