Culture and COVID-19-related mortality
- Author(s)
- Arnold Käffer, Jörg Mahlich
- Abstract
Using a cross-sectional sample of 50 countries we investigate the influence of Hofstede's six-dimensions of culture on COVID-19 related mortality. A multivariable regression model was fitted that controls for health-related, economic- and policy-related variables that have been found to be associated with mortality. We included the percentage of population aged 65 and above, the prevalence of relevant co-morbidities, and tobacco use as health-related variables. Economic variables were GDP, and the connectedness of a country. As policy variables, the Oxford Stringency Index as well as stringency speed, and the Global Health Security Index were used. We also describe the importance of the variables by means of a random forest model. The results suggest that individualistic societies are associated with lower COVID-19-related mortality rates. This finding contradicts previous studies that supported the popular narrative that collectivistic societies with an obedient population are better positioned to manage the pandemic.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Economics
- External organisation(s)
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
- Journal
- Journal of Public Health Policy
- Volume
- 43
- Pages
- 413-430
- No. of pages
- 18
- ISSN
- 0197-5897
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-022-00363-9
- Publication date
- 09-2022
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 303026 Public health
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Policy
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/culture-and-covid19related-mortality(6ed6ba0b-56e0-4610-9fbd-22ab8ac23cea).html