MADRES and COVID-19
Center of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research
Introduction
The Maternal And Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) Center for Environmental Health Disparities was established in 2015. It is housed in the Division of Environmental Health, Department of Preventive Medicine, at the University of Southern California.
MADRES aims to understand the impact of racial and ethnic disparities in environmental exposures and social stressors on the metabolic, cardiovascular, and mental health of pregnant women during the postpartum period and their infants during early life.
This story map sheds light on environmental health disparities along racial and ethnic lines, susceptibility, built environment and COVID-19 spread in MADRES communities.
Interact with the maps below (click on locations, read pop-ups, zoom, search) to understand more about the intersection of these factors in contributing to health disparities. Hover over the icon in the bottom left corner of each map to see the legend. Note that COVID-19 data might be lagging a few days and only covers Los Angeles County (not including Long Beach and Pasadena).
You can also use this map to locate the COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites nearest to you (use the magnifier lens to search for your address in the top left corner or use the circle icon to "Find my location" on the bottom right).
MADRES Neighborhoods
Pregnancy Cohort
The MADRES Center is currently recruiting a large, prospective pregnancy cohort of predominantly Hispanic women in the heart of urban Los Angeles, CA, in partnership with local clinics and hospitals.
Photo by Ashton Mullins on Unsplash
MADRES Neighborhoods
MADRES participants live in predominantly Hispanic and African American communities in Los Angeles, CA.
Photo by Viviana Rishe on Unsplash
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Important environmental health disparities exist along racial and ethnic lines, where Hispanics and African Americans living in urban Los Angeles, CA - similarly to MADRES participants - are disproportionately exposed to higher levels of environmental contaminants and pollutants.
In addition, these communities experience greater social stressors which can make them more susceptible to the harmful effects of environmental exposures such as air pollution.
Read more about how the maps and data in this Story Map can help shed light on these disparities in the NIEHS Partnerships for Environmental Public Health Newsletter, September 2020 issue .
Environmental Exposures
MADRES participants live in neighborhoods with some of the highest environmental pollution burden in the state of California.
The map shows CalEnviroScreen 3.0 pollution burden percentiles in MADRES neighborhoods with at least 5 participants. Click on the "Find my location" button or a census tract or search for an address to learn more about it.
Population Susceptibility
Similarly, MADRES participants live in neighborhoods with increased susceptibility factors, such as poverty, unemployment, linguistic isolation and housing burden, that make them more vulnerable to the impacts of harmful pollutants.
The map shows CalEnviroScreen 3.0 population susceptibility percentiles in MADRES neighborhoods with at least 5 participants.
Vulnerability Factors
Housing burden, linguistic isolation and unemployment are just some of the many factors contributing to increased vulnerability or susceptibility to environmental contaminants and public health threats in these communities.
COVID-19
Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash
On March 19, 2020, the City of Los Angeles issued the " Safer At Home " emergency order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve.
Alarming disparities are increasingly being documented, with Hispanic and African American communities hit hardest with COVID-19.
In the maps below, we look at whether these patterns hold in MADRES neighborhoods specifically, and in the general Los Angeles, CA community. We also provide resources to find the nearest testing and vaccination sites near you.
Current COVID-19 Case Counts
MADRES participants live in some of the neighborhoods currently most impacted by COVID-19.
The map displays current counts of COVID-19 as of today (or lagging one day) based on the Department of Public Health's LA County COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard.
Zoom in for a more granular view. Credit OA_EOC_GIS_Unit .
Current COVID-19 Case Rates
Even when taking population into account, MADRES neighborhoods still have some of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections in Los Angeles County.
This map shows the current rates of COVID-19 per 100,000 population as of today (or lagging one day). Data is updated daily from the Department of Public Health's LA County COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard.
Click on specific neighborhoods to learn more. Credit OA_EOC_GIS_Unit .
Current COVID-19 Death Counts
This map displays current death counts due to COVID-19 as of today (or yesterday).
Click on specific neighborhoods to see a pop-up with calculated death rates per 100,000 population.
Data is updated daily based on LA County's COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard. Credit OA_EOC_GIS_Unit .
Vaccination Sites
Click on "Find My Location" (circle, bottom right corner) to find the vaccination site nearest to you. You can also search for your address by clicking on the magnifier lens (upper left corner). Use the + and - symbols to zoom in and out, respectively.
Once you find a site, click on it to find out about its hours, operational status, drive-through testing, and more.
Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash
Built Environment
Factors related to urban design and the built environment are thought to influence the potential for spread of COVID-19 by enhancing it in some cases, or slowing it down in others.
Similarly, environmental exposures such as air pollution have been linked to worsened COVID-19 mortality and outcomes.
Residential Housing Density
Density is thought to have potentially influenced the geographic spread of COVID-19 in cities like New York or Singapore early in the pandemic, and may continue to play a role in several other locations around the globe.
Public Transit
Use of public transit for commuting to work or other purposes is another factor thought to influence the geographic spread of COVID-19.
Photo by Taylor Vick on Unsplash
Resources
General
- Information on COVID-19 and pregnancy .
- Latest COVID-19 information update for Los Angeles, CA.
- USC Population Health Sciences COVID-19 Pandemic Research Center .
