• Fernando Tortosa, Fernando Perre, Gabriela Carrasco, Gonzalo De Lusarreta, Natalia Artola, Dana Prandi, Rodrigo Bustamante, German Guaresti, and Ariel Izcovich.
• Carrera de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Argentina. E-mail: fgtortosa@unrn.edu.ar.
• Medicina (B Aires). 2024 Jan 1; 84 (1): 294629-46.

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to analyze the geographic variability and the relationship between social determinants of health and COVID-19 lethality in Bariloche.MethodsA database from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System was used to analyze COVID-19 positive cases from January 2020 to December 2021. The data were geocoded and incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS). A three-step analytical framework was applied to measure health inequity, using socioeconomic indicators and access to services. A multivariate analysis was conducted to predict fatality.ResultsA total of 25 020 COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Bariloche during the study period. The fatality rate was 2.1%. Significant variability in socioeconomic indicators was observed among different territorial delegations of the city.DiscussionThe results showed health inequities and an association between social determinants and COVID-19 lethality in Bariloche. Individuals living in areas with higher socioeconomic vulnerability had a higher risk of mortality. These findings highlight the importance of addressing health inequities in a pandemic response.

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