Coronavirus pandemic health crisis
It’s true that we must save our lives from coronavirus in year 2020. And we may be able to look towards growth and development of the world from next year. But, do you think that as the Covid 19 vaccine comes out, everything is going to sort out? You may be wrong.
The life-altering impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are likely to have lasting consequences on physical and mental health of humankind. That too especially on the population from vulnerable sections worldwide, says a study of the Yale School of Public Health.
Coronavirus pandemic health crisis
According to Sarah Lowe, Assistant Professor, Yale School of Public Health, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to bring profound short-and-long-term consequences on physical and mental health of the people. She further said that, the outbreak is likely to have even larger impacts than those seen after the earlier disasters like Hurricane Katrina. And that is due to the distinctive features of the disastrous Covid 19 pandemic.
However, the study did not include a number of factors responsible for significant and additional impacts on public health during and after coronavirus outbreak. For example, economic and financial impacts on human lives due to total or partial shutting down of businesses, growing unemployment tally worldwide and condition of migrant workers, during and after Covid 19 pandemic lockdown.
How to reduce long-term consequences of Covid 19
The researchers suggest that apart from taking steps to reduce Covid 19 transmission and addressing its long lasting impacts of health disparities, which account for morbidities and moralities, there is need for more actions to reduce and mitigate exposures that are going to affect physical and mental health of people.
The following suggestions were made by the researchers in this regards:
- Prevent lapses in medical care and medication to patients
- Address one’s fear of their own safety and safety of others
- Use public health messaging service to provide tips for managing anxiety and fear
- Provide supplemental health services to bereaved ones or those who experience clinically significant fear and anxiety
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
This is an earlier study with similar exposures and consequences.
Let’s leave you with Hurricane Katrina public health impact study. The research has findings similar to the experiences reported during coronavirus pandemic.
The Category 5 tropical cyclone occurred in August, 2005, causing more than 1,200 lives and $125 billion in damages. This was mainly in the city and around New Orleans, United States.
The Yale School of Public Health conducted a study on low-income women of New Orleans, US. It surveyed them before a year and at intervals after the tropical cyclone struck in the region in 2005.
The researchers reveal many similarities between the findings of their current study and of Hurricane Katrina impact study, published in journal PNAS.
The women reported a variety of traumatic experiences during Hurricane Katrina. According to the researchers, a number of common experiences are being reported during Covid 19 pandemic. For example, bereavement, lack of access to medical care and scarcity of medications.
The exposures strongly associated with post-traumatic stress, psychological distress, general health and physical health symptoms during Katrina Hurricane are quite similar to those during the coronavirus pandemic.
