According to a study published in The Lancet, Hawaii emerged as an exceptional performer in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state boasted the lowest death rate in the country at 147 per 100,000 individuals when considering age and underlying health conditions. In contrast, states like Arizona had four times higher death rates at 581 per 100,000.
However, Hawaii did face challenges in terms of employment and economic health, which took a nosedive during the pandemic. The state ranked poorly in gross domestic product (GDP) and employment, with high rates of job loss.
The study, considered the most comprehensive state-by-state analysis of COVID-19 impacts in the United States, examined publicly available data sources from January 1, 2020, to July 31, 2022. Its purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of pandemic policies and identify areas for improvement in each state.
Lead author Emma Castro, from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, highlighted Hawaii’s overall strong performance across various categories. This contributed to the state’s low death rate, which was attributed to factors such as trust and effective implementation of measures like mask mandates and restrictions on gatherings.
The study found that states with higher rates of mask use tended to have lower infection rates, with Hawaii ranking first in mask use. However, it revealed that higher mask use was associated with higher unemployment rates, indicating that states with less severe job losses were those where people were more willing to engage in economic activities.
Hawaii’s educational system also weathered the storm relatively well, as the state experienced less decline in educational test scores compared to other states. Despite transitioning to remote learning, Hawaii’s average fourth-grade math scores only decreased by two points, earning the state a respectable fifth-place ranking.
The study also considered the influence of political affiliations on pandemic response. While the political party of the governor did not correlate with outcomes, states with a higher proportion of the population voting for former President Donald Trump tended to have poorer outcomes.
In general, the study concluded that the United States performed poorly against COVID-19, despite its large economy and high healthcare spending. The country reported one of the highest per-capita COVID-19 fatality rates globally, highlighting the need for improved responses to future pandemic threats.
To mitigate the impact of future outbreaks, the study emphasized the importance of rebuilding public trust, offering clear and timely communication, and addressing social, racial, and economic disparities.
Funding for the study was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, J. Stanton, T. Gillespie, J. and E. Nordstrom, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.
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