Does the Prosperity of a Country Play a Role in COVID-19 Outcomes?

Abstract

Objective This study aims to clarify the association between prosperity and novel coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes and its impact on the future management of pandemics. Methods This study is an observational study using information from two online registries. The numbers of infected individuals and deaths and the prosperity rank of each country were obtained from worldometer.info and the Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index, respectively. Results There is a combination of countries with high and low prosperity on the list of coronavirus disease 2019 infected countries. The risk of the virus pandemic seems to be more extensive in countries with high prosperity. A Spearman’s rho test confirmed a significant correlation between prosperity, the number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases, and the number of deaths at the 99% level. Conclusion New emerging pandemics affect all nations. In order to increase the likelihood of successfully managing future events, it is important to consider pre-existing health security, valid population-based management approaches, medical decision-making, communication, continuous assessment, triage, treatment, early and complete physical distancing strategies, and logistics. These elements cannot be taught on-site and on occasion. There is a need for innovative and regular educational activities for all stakeholders committed to safeguarding our future defense systems concerning diagnostic, protection, treatment, and rehabilitation in pandemics as well as other emergencies.

Increased Emergency Calls during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia: A National Retrospective Study

“…Although much of the attention is focused on diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, understanding EMS use during COVID-19 provides valuable insight concerning the role of prehospital emergency services at national and regional levels [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. In addition to providing information that can support effective EMS during the current pandemic as infection rates rise and fall, data from this study may help future planning and preparedness initiatives to strategically optimize resources for future pandemics and or events that have the potential strain the capacity of the national EMS system, which could potentially delay or prevent necessary life-saving treatment and transport of the sick and injured to the hospital [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Cohort research analysis of disaster experience, preparedness, and competency-based training among nurses

“…Although the results of this study concern one specific area in a country, it can be generalize to other areas and countries worldwide. The current COVID-19 pandemic is a fresh example of how a local threat can become a world issue [ 28 ]. Local and regional preparedness is thus crucial for the global well-being [ 29 ].…”

Disasters and Public Health Emergencies—Current Perspectives in Preparedness and Response

“…These reports all indicate the need for collaboration and coordination, not only among various agencies but also among different states and nations. Current pandemic shows that all nations and states can be influenced, and indicates a need for a collaborative and coordinated approach to healthcare, and economic and social issues resulting from a disaster [16,17].…”