Do socioeconomic inequalities increase the spread of COVID-19 in Turkey?

ABSTRACT

This paper clarifies the medical and socio-economic factors affecting the prevalence of COVID-19 by using clinical and survey data in a binary probit model. Socio-economic factors are associated with risk of infection and can increase exposure to and mortality from COVID-19. Inequalities in socio-economic variables affect the prevalence to different degrees. Disparities in education and poverty are more important than being employed or being a smoker for the spread of COVID-19, we find evidence that confirms the hypothesis.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• economic and social factors
• prevalence
• binary probit model

JEL CLASSIFICATION:

• I18
• I12
• J10

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).