TY - JOUR
T1 - Worldwide Correlations Support COVID-19 Seasonal Behavior and Impact of Global Change
AU - Hernandez, Nicolas
AU - Caetano-Anollés, Gustavo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023/1/1
Y1 - 2023/1/1
N2 - Many viral diseases exhibit seasonal behavior and can be affected by environmental stressors. Using time-series correlation charts extrapolated from worldwide data, we provide strong support for the seasonal development of COVID-19 regardless of the immunity of the population, behavioral changes, and the periodic appearance of new variants with higher rates of infectivity and transmissibility. Statistically significant latitudinal gradients were also observed with indicators of global change. Using the Environmental Protection Index (EPI) and State of Global Air (SoGA) metrics, a bilateral analysis of environmental health and ecosystem vitality effects showed associations with COVID-19 transmission. Air quality, pollution emissions, and other indicators showed strong correlations with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Remarkably, EPI category and performance indicators also correlated with latitude, suggesting cultural and psychological diversity in human populations not only impact wealth and happiness but also planetary health at latitudinal level. Looking forward, we conclude there will be a need to disentangle the seasonal and global change effects of COVID-19 noting that countries that go against the health of the planet affect health in general.
AB - Many viral diseases exhibit seasonal behavior and can be affected by environmental stressors. Using time-series correlation charts extrapolated from worldwide data, we provide strong support for the seasonal development of COVID-19 regardless of the immunity of the population, behavioral changes, and the periodic appearance of new variants with higher rates of infectivity and transmissibility. Statistically significant latitudinal gradients were also observed with indicators of global change. Using the Environmental Protection Index (EPI) and State of Global Air (SoGA) metrics, a bilateral analysis of environmental health and ecosystem vitality effects showed associations with COVID-19 transmission. Air quality, pollution emissions, and other indicators showed strong correlations with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Remarkably, EPI category and performance indicators also correlated with latitude, suggesting cultural and psychological diversity in human populations not only impact wealth and happiness but also planetary health at latitudinal level. Looking forward, we conclude there will be a need to disentangle the seasonal and global change effects of COVID-19 noting that countries that go against the health of the planet affect health in general.
KW - Active cases
KW - Environmental Performance Index
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - State of Global Air
KW - correlation analysis
KW - latitude
KW - mortality
KW - seasonal forcing
KW - time series
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85156124720&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85156124720&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/11769343231169377
DO - 10.1177/11769343231169377
M3 - Article
C2 - 37155556
AN - SCOPUS:85156124720
SN - 1176-9343
VL - 19
JO - Evolutionary Bioinformatics
JF - Evolutionary Bioinformatics
ER -