An Environmental Equity Assessment Using a Social Vulnerability Index during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic for Siting of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Locations in the United States

Abstract

Research has shown that there has consistently been a lack of equity and accessibility to SARS-CoV-2 testing in underserved and disadvantaged areas in the United States. This study examines the distribution of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) testing placement across the United States (US), particularly within the context of underserved communities, and explores an environmental equity approach to address the impact of WBE on future pandemics. The methods combined the Centers for Disease Control Social Vulnerability Index (CDC-SVI) data set at the county level in a geospatial analysis utilizing ArcGIS and multilinear regression analysis as independent variables to investigate disparities in WBE coverage in the US. The findings show that disparities exist between counties in the use of WBE nationwide. The results show that WBE is distributed inequitably on national and state levels. Considering the nationwide adoption of WBE and funding availability through the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System, these findings underscore the importance of equitable WBE coverage for effective COVID-19 monitoring. These findings offer data to support that a focus on expanding WBE coverage to underserved communities ensures a proactive and inclusive strategy against future pandemics.