Environmental health, COVID-19, and the syndemic: internal medicine facing the challenge

Ciaula, Agostino Di; Moshammer, Hanns; Lauriola, Paolo; Portincasa, Piero

doi:10.1007/s11739-022-03107-5

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…This is consistent with other reports in the literature involving the association between poor indoor air quality, systemic, health, and risk of COVID-19 [54,56,57]. This has become a new challenge for physicians and health care providers [58].…”

Section: Percent Reporting Vaccines/reactionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with Chemical Intolerance

Palmer,

Kattari,

Verduzco-Gutierrez

2024

Preprint

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BackgroundThe Center for Disease Control has estimated that over 24 million have been infected with COVID-19 in the US with over 6,700,000 being hospitalized, and over 1,174,000 deaths. Several other industrialized countries show similar numbers (CSSE, 2021). Chemical Intolerance (CI) is characterized by multi-system symptoms initiated by a one-time high dose or persistent low-dose exposure to environmental toxins including chemicals, foods and drugs. With an estimated 20% prevalence in the US, the symptoms of CI include fatigue, headache, weakness, rash, mood changes, musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal issues, difficulties with memory, concentration, and respiratory problems which are similar to COVID-19 and its sequelae. The purpose of this study was to determine if the pandemic had differential effects on those individuals with CI.MethodsA large U.S. population-based survey was launched involving 7,500 respondents asking if they ever had COVID-19, what the severity of it was, and if they have long COVID-19. Respondents were also assessed for CI using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), a 50-item validated questionnaire designed to assess intolerances to inhaled chemicals, foods, and/or drugs. Respondents were classified as Low, Medium, or High CI.ResultsThose in the High Chemical Intolerance class reported a greater COVID-19 prevalence, symptom severity, and long COVID-19 then in the Medium and Low CI classes (P<.0001). These associations were independent of race, ethnicity, income, age, and gender. However, there was significantly increased odds of COVID-19 severity among females and those over 45 years old. Asian individuals were least likely to have severe symptoms compared to White individuals (OR = 0.60). Black/African American individuals reported a lower prevalence of COVID-19 than Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), but African American individuals with high CI reported 2.2 greater odds of reporting COVID-19 prevalence. Further, African American individuals had significantly greater odds of increased symptom severity.DiscussionPrior studies showed that higher risk for COVID-19-19 infection include the elderly, male sex, those with pre-existing comorbidities (e.g., challenged immunities) and those from minoritized racial/ethnic groups. The results of this study suggest that those with CI be included in a high risk group. Various risk subsets may exisit and future investigations could identify different risk subsets. Understanding these subgroups would be helpful in mounting targeted prevention efforts.

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Section: Percent Reporting Vaccines/reactionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with Chemical Intolerance

Palmer,

Kattari,

Verduzco-Gutierrez

2024

Preprint

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“…The risk to health from ambient and indoor air pollution has come into sharp focus with the COVID-19 pandemic [37][38][39]. Here we report the added concern by participants of repeated exposure to odours from disinfectants that may trigger symptoms and may lead to an increase in sensitivity to chemicals, akin to the dose-response relationship between exposure to disinfectants and increased risk of asthma in adults and children [40].…”

Section: Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality-the Living Environmentmentioning

confidence: 88%

The Impact of COVID-19 Health Measures on Adults With Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Cross-Sectional Study

Bray,

Wang,

Argiropoulos

et al. 2024

JMIR Form Res

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Background: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) develops in response to repeated small-level chemical exposures or a major exposure in a subset of people who then experience symptoms that can range from mild to debilitating when exposed to chemicals. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stringent health measures put in place may have increased the burden for those living with MCS, as it became more challenging to avoid chemicals that trigger their condition. Objective:The aim of this study was to better understand the lived experience of Canadians living with MCS during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: An online questionnaire was created to asked participants to compare daily living during the pandemic to before March 11, 2020. Three areas were investigated: 1) environmental exposures to chemical triggers from ambient and indoor air; 2) access to, and satisfaction with, healthcare; and 3) how people experiencing MCS rated contact with their social network.Results: A total of 119 Canadians who had lived with MCS for more than a year completed the questionnaire. The participant sample was mostly female (86.6%, n=103) and highly educated, with 57.1% (n=68) having a university degree. Slightly more than half (57.1%, n=68) were over 55 years old. McNemar Chi-Squared and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used to evaluate if there were statistically significant changes before and after March 11, 2020. Participants reported an increase in exposure to odours from disinfectants that entered their living environment (P<.001). There was a reported decrease in access to a family doctor (P<.001). Although people with MCS experienced increased social isolation (P<.001), they also reported an increase in understanding from family (P=.029) and a decrease in stigma for wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) (P<.001). Conclusions:During the first year of COVID-19, people with MCS were impacted by inaccessibility, loss of social support and barriers in accessing healthcare. This study highlights unique challenges and possible benefits associated with the COVD-19 pandemic public health measures for individuals living with MCS. These findings can guide decision-makers to improve policies on accessibility through appropriate accommodation measures.

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“…Furthermore, the degradation of the environment, biodiversity loss, and pollution can exacerbate health risks, as healthy ecosystems provide vital services, such as water purification and climate regulation. (4,5)…”

Section: One Health: a Multidisciplinary Approach To Global Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening the Implementation of the One Health Approach in the Americas: Interagency Collaboration, Comprehensive Policies, and Information Exchange

Rodríguez-Pérez

2022

Seminars in Medical Writing and Education

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In the 21st century, the One Health approach recognizes the interdependence between human, animal and plant health and environmental conservation. In a globalized world where boundaries are blurring, this approach has become essential to address challenges such as zoonotic diseases, environmental degradation and food security. One Health fosters collaboration between public health, animal health, plant health and environmental conservation. Its implementation requires the cooperation of governments, NGOs, the private sector and civil society. Challenges include the lack of a common data platform and the need for sound legislation. Data collection and scientific evidence are essential, as is consideration of sociological factors in health. Social and technological innovation also play a crucial role. One Health offers the opportunity to comprehensively address public and environmental health issues, seeking a healthier and more equitable world for all species.

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Environmental health, COVID-19, and the syndemic: internal medicine facing the challenge

Cited by 9 publications

References 82 publications

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with Chemical Intolerance

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with Chemical Intolerance

The Impact of COVID-19 Health Measures on Adults With Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Cross-Sectional Study

Strengthening the Implementation of the One Health Approach in the Americas: Interagency Collaboration, Comprehensive Policies, and Information Exchange

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