Student Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-11-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

First Advisor

Dr Nerve Macaspac

Abstract

COVID-19 has had diverging effects in New York City. Out of the five boroughs, Staten Island has one of the largest percentages of COVID-19 cases relative to population. This research examines key social and spatial factors that contribute to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Staten Island). It asks: Which parts of Staten Island have higher rates of transmission of COVID-19? Which parts of the borough have higher population who are more vulnerable to COVID-19? What is the relationship between the location of vaccination centers with the rates of COVID-19 cases? Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this research examines the spatial relationships and patterns of COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations, vaccinations, and key indicators of high-risk transmission or vulnerability such as population density or access to vaccination centers. For instance, this research suggests that there is a direct relationship between zip codes with a higher density of individuals and more COVID-19 cases. Another finding is that zip codes with at least four vaccination centers have lower COVID-19 cases. This research contributes to our understanding of the uneven geographies of the global COVID-19 pandemic in New York City and informs borough-specific policies in preventing further transmissions.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.