COVID-19 as social disability: the opportunity of social empathy for empowerment

Ebuenyi, Ikenna D.; Smith, Emma; Holloway, Catherine; Jensen, Rune Dall; D'Arino, Lucía; MacLachlan, Malcolm

doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003039

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…One should also note the importance of addressing disadvantage in ways that respect the individuals concerned [ 26 ]. Indeed, it has been argued that this current pandemic has offered us the opportunity to learn to do this [ 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Tamin

Oluranti

Suraya

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on the health and wellbeing of populations directly through infection, as well as through serious societal and economic consequences such as unemployment and underemployment. The consequences could be even more severe for those more vulnerable to the disease, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Indeed, there is evidence that such vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected in terms of both, their health and the socioeconomic impact. The aim of our study was to determine whether occupational health (OH) professionals thought that the COVID-19 pandemic might further disadvantage any particular group(s) of vulnerable workers globally, and if so, which group(s). A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of OH professionals by means of an online questionnaire which was shared via email within the ICOH (International Commission for Occupational Health) community. Data was collected over a period of two weeks in May 2020 and 165 responses from 52 countries were received. In this paper, the responses relating to questions about vulnerable workers are reported and discussed. Globally, our responders felt that those in less secure jobs (precarious employment (79%) and informal work (69%)), or unemployed (63%), were the most at risk of further disadvantage from this pandemic. The majority felt that their governments could act to mitigate these effects. There were suggestions of short-term alleviation such as financial and social support, as well as calls for fundamental reviews of the underlying inequalities that leave populations so vulnerable to a crisis such as COVID-19.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Tamin

Oluranti

Suraya

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, empathy, or a profound understanding of others through observing or experiencing their condition, brought people closer. [54]. Highly altruistic people experienced higher negative effects due to the pandemic, which indirectly increased their anxiety and depression [55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Distress due to COVID-19 in the Albanian Adult Population

Ndreu¹,

Themeli²,

Zekja³

et al. 2022

OBM Neurobiol

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The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11th, 2020. The pandemic had significantly affected public health, and the mental health of people was compromised regardless of age or socioeconomic status. In this study, we measured the psychological distress caused by the pandemic and determined the associated factors. An online survey was conducted from November 16th (2020) to January 31st (2021). The participants were Albanian adults (≥18 years old). The call to participate was posted on social networks. A questionnaire based on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was distributed to the participants via Google Forms. The internal consistency of the scales was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. The total number of participants was 488, and 87.3% were females. The mean age was 21.17 years. Full-time students and health care workers comprised 58% and 12.9% of the participants, respectively. The participants were asked 24 questions, and five factors explained 54.14% of the variance. The factors included mental fatigue, psychological consequences in metabolism, obsession with protective measures, negative perception of the situation, and empathy for patients with COVID-19. Effective and relevant mental health interventions and policies to help cope with psychological distress specifically related to COVID-19 should be designed and implemented.

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“…Moreover, the PRE-RE-SyST model follows the assumption that disability disparities, exacerbated and made more visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, can foster greater social awareness and provide opportunities for change towards a more inclusive society, after the pandemic. [73,118] This assumption is aligned with the "build back better" framework which positions disasters as an opportunity to build more resilient systems, [119] as well as the more recent "build back fairer" framework, aimed at breaking cycles of inequality. [120,121] The latter fosters the adoption of equity-oriented approaches to population health and development toward building more resilient societies, better prepared to weather future pandemics and other emergencies (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PREparadness, REsponse and SySTemic transformation (PRE-RE-SyST): a model for disability-inclusive pandemic responses and systemic disparities reduction derived from a scoping review and thematic analysis

Jesus¹,

Kamalakannan²,

Bhattacharjya³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundPeople with disabilities (PwD) have been facing multiple health, social, and economic disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic, stemming from structural disparities experienced for long time. This paper aims to present the PREparation, RESponse and SySTemic transformation (PRE-RE-SyST): a model for a disability-inclusive pandemic responses and systematic disparities reduction.MethodsScoping review with a thematic analysis was conducted on the literature published up to mid-September 2020, equating to the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven scientific databases and 3 preprint databases were searched to identify empirical or perspective papers addressing health and socio-economic disparities experienced by PwD as well as reporting actions to address them. Snowballing searches and experts’ consultation were also conducted. Two independent reviewers made eligibility decisions and performed data extractions on any action or recommended action to address disparities. A thematic analysis was then used for the model construction, informed by a systems-thinking approach (i.e., the Iceberg Model).Results:From 1027 unique references, 84 were included in the final analysis. The PRE-RE-SyST model articulates a four-level strategic action to: 1) Respond to prevent or reduce disability disparities during a pandemic crisis; 2) Prepare ahead for pandemic and other crises responses; 3) Design systems and policies for a structural disability-inclusiveness; and 4) Transform society’s cultural assumptions about disability. ‘Simple rules’ and literature-based examples on how these strategies can be deployed are provided.Conclusion:The PRE-RE-SyST model articulates main strategies, ‘simple rules’ and possible means whereby public health authorities, policy-makers, and other stakeholders can address disability disparities in pandemic crises, and beyond. Beyond immediate pandemic responses, disability-inclusiveness is needed to develop everyday equity-oriented policies and practices that can transform societies towards greater resiliency, as a whole, to pandemic and other health and social emergencies.

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COVID-19 as social disability: the opportunity of social empathy for empowerment

Cited by 22 publications

References 13 publications

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health

Psychological Distress due to COVID-19 in the Albanian Adult Population

PREparadness, REsponse and SySTemic transformation (PRE-RE-SyST): a model for disability-inclusive pandemic responses and systemic disparities reduction derived from a scoping review and thematic analysis

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