Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States
Abstract Background Light at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and consequently increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. COVID-19 infections spread differently in each state in the United States (U...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11500-6 |
| _version_ | 1818729102519042048 |
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| author | Yidan Meng Vincent Zhu Yong Zhu |
| author_facet | Yidan Meng Vincent Zhu Yong Zhu |
| author_sort | Yidan Meng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Light at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and consequently increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. COVID-19 infections spread differently in each state in the United States (US). The current analysis aimed to test whether there is an association between LAN and COVID-19 cases in 4 selected US states: Connecticut, New York, California, and Texas. Methods We analyzed clustering patterns of COVID-19 cases in ArcMap and performed a multiple linear regression model using data of LAN and COVID-19 incidence with adjustment for confounding variables including population density, percent below poverty, and racial factors. Results Hotspots of LAN and COVID-19 cases are located in large cities or metro-centers for all 4 states. LAN intensity is associated with cases/1 k for overall and lockdown durations in New York and Connecticut (P < 0.001), but not in Texas and California. The overall case rates are significantly associated with LAN in New York (P < 0.001) and Connecticut (P < 0.001). Conclusions We observed a significant positive correlation between LAN intensity and COVID-19 cases-rate/1 k, suggesting that circadian disruption of ambient light may increase the COVID-19 infection rate possibly by affecting an individual’s immune functions. Furthermore, differences in the demographic structure and lockdown policies in different states play an important role in COVID-19 infections. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:40:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-521ecef7abff421eb56221f87095e6b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:40:33Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-521ecef7abff421eb56221f87095e6b92022-12-21T21:29:56ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582021-08-012111810.1186/s12889-021-11500-6Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United StatesYidan Meng0Vincent Zhu1Yong Zhu2Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public HealthDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public HealthDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale University School of Public HealthAbstract Background Light at night (LAN) as a circadian disruption factor may affect the human immune system and consequently increase an individual’s susceptibility to the severity of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. COVID-19 infections spread differently in each state in the United States (US). The current analysis aimed to test whether there is an association between LAN and COVID-19 cases in 4 selected US states: Connecticut, New York, California, and Texas. Methods We analyzed clustering patterns of COVID-19 cases in ArcMap and performed a multiple linear regression model using data of LAN and COVID-19 incidence with adjustment for confounding variables including population density, percent below poverty, and racial factors. Results Hotspots of LAN and COVID-19 cases are located in large cities or metro-centers for all 4 states. LAN intensity is associated with cases/1 k for overall and lockdown durations in New York and Connecticut (P < 0.001), but not in Texas and California. The overall case rates are significantly associated with LAN in New York (P < 0.001) and Connecticut (P < 0.001). Conclusions We observed a significant positive correlation between LAN intensity and COVID-19 cases-rate/1 k, suggesting that circadian disruption of ambient light may increase the COVID-19 infection rate possibly by affecting an individual’s immune functions. Furthermore, differences in the demographic structure and lockdown policies in different states play an important role in COVID-19 infections.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11500-6Light at night (LAN)COVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Yidan Meng Vincent Zhu Yong Zhu Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States BMC Public Health Light at night (LAN) COVID-19 |
| title | Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States |
| title_full | Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States |
| title_fullStr | Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States |
| title_short | Co-distribution of Light At Night (LAN) and COVID-19 incidence in the United States |
| title_sort | co distribution of light at night lan and covid 19 incidence in the united states |
| topic | Light at night (LAN) COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11500-6 |
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