A correlational analysis of COVID-19 incidence and mortality and urban determinants of vitamin D status across the London boroughs

Sci Rep. 2022 Jul 11;12(1):11741. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15664-y.

Abstract

One of the biggest challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic is the heterogeneity in disease severity exhibited amongst patients. Among multiple factors, latest studies suggest vitamin D deficiency and pre-existing health conditions to be major contributors to death from COVID-19. It is known that certain urban form attributes can impact sun exposure and vitamin D synthesis. Also, long-term exposure to air pollution can play an independent role in vitamin D deficiency. We conducted a correlational analysis of urban form and air quality in relation to the demographics and COVID-19 incidence and mortality across 32 London boroughs between March 2020 and January 2021. We found total population, number of residents of Asian ethnicity, 4-year average PM10 levels and road length to be positively correlated with COVID-19 cases and deaths. We also found percentage of households with access to total open space to be negatively correlated with COVID-19 deaths. Our findings link COVID-19 incidence and mortality across London with environmental variables linked to vitamin D status. Our study is entirely based on publicly available data and provides a reference framework for further research as more data are gathered and the syndemic dimension of COVID-19 becomes increasingly relevant in connection to health inequalities within large urban areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollution* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • London / epidemiology
  • Pandemics
  • Vitamin D / analysis
  • Vitamin D Deficiency* / epidemiology
  • Vitamins / analysis

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D