Primary care helps to reduce risk of infection and death from COVID-19, report says

Photo: FG Trade/Getty Images

A new report shows that primary care is an important factor in mitigating the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In communities with the most robust primary care, the strongest public health infrastructure, and the fewest social vulnerabilities, residents were 42% less likely to die from COVID-19 and 12% less likely to get infected with the virus, as compared to communities on the other end of the spectrum, according to the report, "Primary Care and COVID-19 – It's Complicated. Leveraging Primary Care, Public Health, and Social Assets."

The report, released by the Primary Care Collaborative and the Robert Graham Center, examined primary care access, the strength of public health and the degree of social vulnerability at the county level using the new Community Health Index (CHI) developed by the Robert Graham Center. 

Counties scoring higher on the index had better COVID-19-related outcomes, both in incidence and death. These were counties with the highest scores for primary care access, the strength of local public health and social assets. They represent an estimated 17% of the U.S. population. 

These counties also have higher vaccination rates. People in the highest CHI quintile were 26% more likely to have been vaccinated than those living in the lowest CHI quintile.

Counties that scored lowest on the CHI represent 20% of the U.S. population.

WHY THIS MATTERS

After vaccines became available, COVID-19 incidents and deaths fell across all U.S counties as expected, but the rates did not fall equally, the report said. 

Residents of counties with higher CHI scores were advantaged over their counterparts, raising concerns about the adequacy of U.S. investment in critical health infrastructure. The report also raises questions of whether the country is adequately leveraging its existing infrastructure as the pandemic continues, according to report experts. 

"The title of this report, 'It's Complicated,' describes interrelated and mutually reinforcing factors critical in a high-risk situation like a pandemic," said Dr. Yalda Jappapour, RGC's Medical Director. "Bringing all of these areas closer together will be challenging but essential in our continued efforts to combat COVID-19 and in preparation for future pandemics." 

THE LARGER TREND

Data at the U.S. county level - from both before and after the COVID-19 vaccines were made widely available - were analyzed for the report.

The report is the 10th annual evidence-based report by the PCC.

The Primary Care Collaborative is a national nonprofit organization working to advance primary care. The Robert Graham Center is a family medicine and primary care research organization.

ON THE RECORD

"As we emerge from the current pandemic and reimagine and rebuild primary care, we also need to look at other factors, such as investment in public health and community-based services," said Ann Greiner, president and CEO of the PCC. "It is beyond time for us all to reach beyond our silos and join forces to address the widening health inequities that the pandemic laid bare and to better prepare for a future health emergency."
 

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com