Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19

While it has now been months since the inception of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries worldwide are still not in the clear. Safety measures should continue to be implemented to protect people, especially the most at-risk populations. This includes anyone with an underlying medical condition, ranging from being pregnant to having a neurological condition like dementia. These populations are at an elevated risk of being severely impacted by COVID-19 [1]. Even before COVID-19 became a widespread threat, there was a high prevalence of multimorbidity occurrence, especially in older adults (aged 60 and older) across various countries, irrespective of GDP [2]. The most common of these chronic conditions include asthma, hypertension, and diabetes [3]. Currently, there are more people aged over 64 worldwide than there are children under the age of 5 for the first time in history [4]. As of 2017, there was a global population of about 962 million people aged 60 years or older [5]. Since this population is at a higher risk of developing concomitant chronic illnesses and psychological limitations as they age, it is important that citizens work to protect these vulnerable persons, many of whom live alone and are forced to expose themselves to the outdoors to obtain basic necessities.

To protect the health of at-risk populations, the following public health guidelines can be followed to reduce the risk of acquiring COVID-19. These guidelines should be followed both by the at-risk individuals themselves and the people around them. The CDC recommends that individuals with underlying conditions, such as an auto-immune disorder, limit their contact with others in public [1]. This can be done by practicing the recommended physical distancing measures: standing 6 feet apart, wearing a mask whenever in public enclosed spaces, and washing hands regularly. Furthermore, if someone with an underlying condition plans to meet another individual, both individuals should ensure that the other person does not have any symptoms or that they have not been in contact with someone who has had COVID-19. Fighting this pandemic is a group effort, and as some countries begin to lighten restrictions, we must continue to consider those around us.

In order to stay protected from COVID-19, it is best that at-risk populations stay at home and follow the above-mentioned guidelines if going out is not avoidable. As countries start to re-open businesses and communities, people will resume everyday activities like eating at restaurants, going to the doctor’s office, or going to the barbershop. It is important to remember that the risks associated with COVID-19 are still very real and partaking in these activities can increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting the virus. Some everyday activities and their associated risk levels are highlighted below. In order to protect people, including the most vulnerable populations, it is important to be mindful of these risks and avoid all high-risk activities, if possible. Stay safe, stay healthy!

(Texas Medical Association, 2020)

References

1. CDC. People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness. 25 June 2020, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.

2. Garin, Noe, et al. “Global Multimorbidity Patterns: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based, Multi-Country Study.” The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, vol. 71, no. 2, 2015, pp. 205–214., doi:10.1093/gerona/glv128. Accessed 11 July 2020.

3. Catalá-López, Ferrán, et al. “Mapping of Global Scientific Research in Comorbidity and Multimorbidity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.” Plos One, vol. 13, no. 1, 2018, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0189091. Accessed 11 July 2020.

4. Ritchie, Hannah. The World Population Is Changing: For the First Time There Are More People over 64 than Children Younger than 5. 23 May 2019, ourworldindata.org/population-aged-65-outnumber-children.

5. United Nations. World Population Ageing. 2017, www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/ageing/WPA2017_Highlights.pdf.

6. Texas Medical Association. (2020). Be Informed: Know your Risk During Covid-19. Retrieved from: https://www.texmed.org/uploadedFiles/Current/2016_Public_Health/Infectious_Diseases/309193%20Risk%20Assessment%20Chart%20V2_FINAL.pdf