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Glob Adv Health Med
. 2021 May 3;10:21649561211010137.
doi: 10.1177/21649561211010137. eCollection 2021.
Preventing a Post-Pandemic Double Burden of Disease in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Amy Hai Yan Chan 1 , Rob Horne 2
Affiliations
- PMID: 34104575
- PMCID: PMC8172331
- DOI: 10.1177/21649561211010137
Abstract
As the world focuses on containing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and limiting the effects of the pandemic on the global population, care must be taken not to lose sight of existing individual health issues. There is a real risk of creating a 'post-pandemic double burden of disease'- where the pressures of having to manage acute COVID-19-related impacts on the health system are added to the existing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases or long-term conditions in developed countries. This could create a post-pandemic health crisis by devoting less attention to existing health conditions. A growing evidence base from other epidemics and health emergencies highlight the potential negative impact of short-term health crises on long-term public health. The significant disruptions to the usual healthcare systems and society can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in the long-term if not managed appropriately. This viewpoint provides an overview of the evidence to support the management of long-term conditions during, and after, health emergencies, to limit the impact of COVID-19 on public health in the short- and long-term.
Keywords: COVID-19; double burden of disease; health care; long-term conditions; post-pandemic; public health.