People in the Pandemic: COVID-19's Effects on Socioeconomic Status and Health

Abstract

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, media outlets have been cluttered with information and opinion pieces regarding the coronavirus. Within this sea of information, it is imperative to acknowledge the effects that COVID-19 has had on socioeconomic status and the social determinants of health. Even as conversations regarding social distancing, lockdowns, and mask mandates fade away, many individuals and families will continue to battle the hardships created during the COVID-19 pandemic. This thesis will bring attention to how COVID-19 has affected socioeconomic status by viewing changes in financial stability, food insecurity, and access to healthcare during the early months of the pandemic. These patterns and hardships should be considered when evaluating support policies and planning for public health challenges in the future.