Question

discuss the social determinants of health and COVID-19 infection in childhood, young adulthood, mid adulthood, and older adulthood. Give specific examples whenever possible. Explain how we might be able to use the social determinants perspective and life course framework to protect the most vulnerable among us

Answer 1

Social determinants of health and COVID-19

1. SARs-CoV2 is the pathogen that causes COVID-19
2. The virus spreads from person to person through droplet infection and fomites
3. As human beings are social animals, this disease spreads very easily.
4. We share homes, offices, transportation, recreational areas ( clubs)
5. This promotes the spread of the disease.
6. This virus is new, therefore the human body has no immunity against it
7. It can affect all age groups.
8. However, the disease severity differs
   1. children and young adults develop minor for of the disease. They seldomly become serious (in a study of 6 patient of the pediatric age group in Wuhan, only one required ICU stay)
   2. adults and older adults (>60yrs) are at risk of developing a more serious form of the disease. People with comorbidities like hypertension, cardiac disease, have higher mortality rates.
9. About 80% of patients get cured without treatment. Whereas as patients who are > 60yr, with hypertension, the cardiac disease has a high mortality rate in spite of receiving adequate treatment.
10. Therefore, prevention of the spread of the disease the best tool we have at the moment to deal with the disease.

The vulnerable population can be protected in the following ways

1. Economic stability
   1. Covid-19 has to lead to an economic downfall in most communities
   2. People should encouraged to work from home
   3. This will help reduce the spread of disease
   4. People and organization must donate either through cash or kind to our fight against this disease
   5. Employers should not deduct salaries of employees unable to reach to work due to lack of transportation ( due to the global lockdown) or of patients who are sick.
2. Education
   1. Mass media and social networking sites should be utilized to provide accurate information about COVID-19
   2. People should be taught the importance of cough hygiene and wearing masks
   3. Warning sign likes fever, cough, breathlessness needs urgent medical care.
3. Health and health care
   1. Health care facilities should be on high alert
   2. All outpatient care and inpatient care services should be diverted towards managing COVID-19 cases.
   3. All elective procedures should be stopped for the moment.
   4. Only emergency services should function.
   5. So the amount of medical staff should be kept as a reserve.
   6. If all are exposed and all go into quarantine, there will be an acute shortage of medical staff to cater to the patients of COVID-19
   7. Health care professionals should receive personal protective equipment.
   8. In case of shortage, PPE should be used by professionals working closely with COVID-19 patient and those involved in procedures where there is a risk of aerosol production (during intubation, swab collection)
4. Neighbour and built environment
   1. A complete lockdown/curfew should be observed by people.
   2. Everyone should stay at home
   3. Venture out only when it is necessary ( groceries, medicine, to visit a doctor)
   4. Communities can build a stock of essential supplies so that people don't have to travel too much.
   5. Communities can prepare food packs and give them to the homeless and those who are too weak to cook for themselves (elderly)
5. Social and community context
   1. it is important to maintain social distancing
   2. Avoid gatherings ( religious and non-religious)
   3. Stadium and community centers can be converted to isolation hospitals or quarantine zones.
   4. Relief funds can be gathered for the buying medicines, PPEs
   5. People can volunteer in hospitals ( as non medical staff - like cooks, caretakers)