Income´s association with COVID-19 outcomes in healthcare workers and general working-age population

Abstract

Abstract While higher income is generally associated with better health outcomes, this study examined whether that pattern applied to healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using register-based data from Finland’s Capital region, we analyzed 26,271 confirmed COVID-19 cases among working-age individuals, including 2,201 HCWs, over the first 15 months of the pandemic, assessing hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality across income levels. HCWs had slightly higher odds of hospitalization than the general working-age population (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04–1.56), with no significant differences in ICU admission or mortality. Unexpectedly, higher income among HCWs was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.17–3.49), contrary to its usual protective effect. These findings suggest that occupational exposure may override typical socioeconomic advantages, underscoring the need for tailored protective measures and further research on HCW-specific risks.