A new study by University of Georgia researchers reveals that the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study continues to influence health behaviors among Black Americans, particularly in relation to COVID-19 vaccination rates. Published in the Journal of Population Economics, the study found that Black residents living closer to Tuskegee, Alabama, were significantly slower to get vaccinated compared to their white neighbors and Black communities in other parts of the country.
Lead author Xiaolong “Chris” Hou and his colleagues analyzed CDC vaccine tracker data and U.S. census information to compare vaccination rates across different populations. They discovered that Black individuals within 750 miles of Tuskegee showed greater vaccine hesitancy, even as the overall gap in vaccination rates between Black and white Americans narrowed over time.
The researchers attribute this hesitancy to the historical involvement of government agencies like the NIH and CDC in the Tuskegee Study, which are now central to vaccine promotion efforts. “Why Tuskegee specifically matters here is because of the involvement of government agencies… which are also central to the current vaccine initiative and promotion,” Hou explained.
The study highlights the need for policymakers and public health leaders to consider historical contexts when addressing health disparities. Corresponding author Zhuo “Adam” Chen emphasized the importance of tailoring interventions to specific populations and working through trusted community leaders to build confidence.
“We need to correct the wrong, and we do have a lot to do instead of taking what is there as given,” Chen stated, underlining the necessity for customized approaches that address the unique needs and contexts of different communities in order to overcome persistent health disparities.
See “Study underlines role of past injustices in medical mistrust” (April 2, 2024)
