Hawaii’s unique geography significantly impacted the economic and public health effects of COVID-related policies, a new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found. Hawaii had the lowest COVID-related deaths per capita and the lowest COVID mortality rate in the country. However, it also ranked last (51st) in economic performance and 46th in education attendance. Hawaii ranked 39th in overall pandemic response.
Get the latest state-specific policy intelligence for the health care sector delivered to your inbox.
The report analyzed and compared varying COVID policies—such as lockdowns, masking, and vaccine mandates—across the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Results show that COVID policies that caused states to withdraw the most from economic activity “did not significantly improve health by doing so.” As an isolated…