Int J Health Econ Manag. 2026 May 11;26(2):11. doi: 10.1007/s10754-026-09415-z.
ABSTRACT
Economic shocks have been shown to affect social and political outcomes. Here, I show that U.S. counties that faced greater economic shocks within the last 30 years were less likely to comply with the advice/orders of public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing county-level vaccination rates and then compliance rates with stay-at-home orders, I show that compliance with these initiatives was lower in counties that had experienced trade exposure to China, excess unemployment from the Great Recession, and a greater risk of job automation. These shocks are comparable in importance to factors such as income, age, and education.
PMID:42113308 | DOI:10.1007/s10754-026-09415-z
