scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associated Public Health Response on People with Eating Disorder Symptomatology: A National Australian Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Miskovic-Wheatley ◽  
Eyza Koreshe ◽  
Marcellinus Kim ◽  
Rachel Simeone ◽  
Sarah Maguire
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
State Mental Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Symptom Profile ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Impact ◽  
State Mental

Abstract Background Associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is a mental health crisis. People with lived experience of eating disorders (ED) may be particularly vulnerable due to exasperating factors including social isolation, co-occurring conditions, etc. This study investigates the association of the pandemic with ED symptomatology to consider impact and identify risk factors for clinical consideration. Methods Australian participants over 16 years self-reported ED diagnosis and/or symptomatology. An online survey was conducted due to reach, cost-effectiveness, safety and suitability. Participants recorded ED status, co-occurring mental health conditions, completed validated measures of ED illness, state mental health and loneliness, and changes in ED symptoms during the pandemic. Results Of 1723 participants (mode age 24.9 years, 91.6% identifying as female, EDE Global Score x = 4.08, SD = 1.18), 88.0% reported an increase in body image concerns, 74.1% in food restriction, 66.2% binge eating and 46.8% driven exercise during the pandemic. Increased ED symptomatology was associated with poorer state mental health and loneliness across the ED symptom profile. Most participants were negatively impacted by various aspects of the public health response, more so for those with more acute illness. Conclusions With 40.5% of participants not having sought formal diagnostic assessment and less than half in treatment, this study provides evidence for the detrimental impact of the pandemic on people with a lived experience of an eating disorder, especially for those not yet supported by the health care system. This presents baseline data - investigation is ongoing to 6 month follow up to assess longer-term impact.

scholarly journals Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call for Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-412
Author(s):  
G. Kalcev ◽  
A. Preti ◽  
G. Orrù ◽  
M.G. Carta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
The Impact

The current COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect the physical and mental health and the well-being of people globally. The physicians and nurses on the frontline of patients care will be among the most affected in their psychosocial well-being, being exposed to trauma consequences and burnout syndrome. It is still unknown whether the COVID-19 infection will have direct neuropsychiatric consequences. The impact of the quarantine lockdown on mental health, too, has to be taken into account. The inclusion of mental health as part of national public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic is mandatory in assisting all those in need.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 on childhood Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Chengdu, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yijie Huang ◽  
Tao Ai ◽  
Jun Luo ◽  
Hanmin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Western China ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a change in the incidence and transmission of respiratory pathogens was observed. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the epidemiologic characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children in Chengdu, one of the largest cities of western China. Method M. pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in 33,345 pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms at the Chengdu Women’s & Children’s Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020, based on a serum antibody titer of ≥1:160 measured by the passive agglutination assay. Differences in infection rates were examined by sex, age, and temporal distribution. Results Two epidemic outbreaks occurred between October-December 2017 and April-December 2019, and two infection peaks were detected in the second and fourth quarters of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Due to the public health response to COVID-19, the number of positive M. pneumoniae cases significantly decreased in the second quarter of 2020. The number of M. pneumoniae infection among children aged 3–6 years was higher than that in other age groups. Conclusions Preschool children are more susceptible to M. pneumoniae infection and close contact appears to be the predominant factor favoring pathogen transmission. The public health response to COVID-19 can effectively control the transmission of M. pneumoniae.

scholarly journals Exploring experiences and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young racially minoritised people in the United Kingdom: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Ann Burgess ◽  
Nancy Kanu ◽  
Tanya Matthews ◽  
Owen Mukotekwa ◽  
Amina Smith-Gul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
The Impact

Within high-income-countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted people from racially minoritised backgrounds. There has been significant research interrogating the disparate impact of the virus, and recently, interest in the long-term implications of the global crisis on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. However, less work explores the experiences of young people from racialised backgrounds as they navigate the pandemic, and the specific consequences this has for their mental health. Forty young people (age 16-25) from black, mixed and other minority backgrounds and living in London, participated in consecutive focus group discussions over a two-month period, to explore the impact of the pandemic on their lives and emotional wellbeing. Thematic analysis identified seven categories describing the impact of the pandemic, indicating: deepening of existing socioeconomic and emotional challenges; efforts to navigate racism and difference within the response; and survival strategies drawing on communal and individual resources. Young people also articulated visions for a future public health response which addressed gaps in current strategies. Findings point to the need to contextualize public health responses to the pandemic in line with the lived experiences of racialised young people. We specifically note the importance of long-term culturally and socio-politically relevant support interventions. Implications for policy and practice are discussed

scholarly journals A Second Pandemic: Mental Health Spillover From the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen R. Choi ◽  
MarySue V. Heilemann ◽  
Alex Fauer ◽  
Meredith Mead
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Nurse Leaders ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Mental Wellness ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Global Health Challenge

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created an unprecedented global health challenge. There is risk that the outbreak will create a “second pandemic” of mental health crises in health systems and communities. Thus, a comprehensive public health response to the pandemic must include (a) attention to the psychological aspects of hospitalization for patients, families, and staff affected by COVID-19; (b) planning for emergency and acute psychiatric patient care if hospitals become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients; and (c) innovations for providing mental health care in communities while social distancing is required and health system resources are strained. Nurses and nurse leaders must anticipate these mental health challenges, assist with preparedness in health systems and communities, and advocate for a coordinated response to promote mental wellness and resilience.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Stages on Paediatric Emergency Attendance

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thérèse McDonnell ◽  
Emma Nicholson ◽  
Ciara Conlon ◽  
Michael Barrett ◽  
Fergal Cummins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Complex Chronic Conditions ◽  
Paediatric Emergency ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Impact

This study outlines the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric emergency department (ED) utilisation and assesses the extent of healthcare avoidance during each stage of the public health response strategy. Records from five EDs and one urgent care centre in Ireland, representing approximately 48% of national annual public paediatric ED attendances, are analysed to determine changes in characteristics of attendance during the three month period following the first reported COVID-19 case in Ireland, with reference to specific national public health stages. ED attendance reduced by 27–62% across all categories of diagnosis in the Delay phase and remained significantly below prior year levels as the country began Phase One of Reopening, with an incident rate ratio (IRR) of 0.58. The decrease was predominantly attributable to reduced attendance for injury and viral/viral induced conditions resulting from changed living conditions imposed by the public health response. However, attendance for complex chronic conditions also reduced and had yet to return to pre-COVID levels as reopening began. Attendances referred by general practitioners (GPs) dropped by 13 percentage points in the Delay phase and remained at that level. While changes in living conditions explain much of the decrease in overall attendance and in GP referrals, reduced attendance for complex chronic conditions may indicate avoidance behaviour and continued surveillance is necessary.

scholarly journals Mental health care for medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Walton ◽  
Esther Murray ◽  
Michael D Christian
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Valuable Resource ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Critical Part ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for society. Supporting the mental health of medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers (staff) is a critical part of the public health response. This paper details the effects on staff and addresses some of the organisational, team and individual considerations for supporting staff (pragmatically) during this pandemic. Leaders at all levels of health care organisations will find this a valuable resource.

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