Immediate and Long-Term Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for People With Disabilities

Abstract

Some people with disabilities may have greater risk of contracting COVID-19 or experiencing worse outcomes if infected. Although COVID-19 is a genuine threat for people with disabilities, they also fear decisions that might limit lifesaving treatment should they contract the virus. During a pandemic, health systems must manage excess demand for treatment, and governments must enact heavy restrictions on their citizens to prevent transmission. Both actions can have a negative impact on people with disabilities. Ironically, the sociotechnical advances prompted by this pandemic could also revolutionize quality of life and participation for people with disabilities. Preparation for future disasters requires careful consideration. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 15, 2020: e1–e6. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305890 )

Health Risks and Consequences of a COVID-19 Infection for People with Disabilities: Scoping Review and Descriptive Thematic Analysis

“…In residential or long-term facilities, multiple infection risk factors such as the shared use of spaces, staff working in multiple settings, high levels of personal care assistance from staff (especially for residents with disabilities), among other risk factors synthesized in this review, were coupled with settings’ initial unpreparedness to manage a pandemic, to create a ‘perfect storm’, disproportionately impacting on people with disabilities, who are overrepresented in these settings. Therefore, there is a need for disability-inclusive systematic preparedness and rapid responses to pandemic events [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 79 ], which shall include a focus on residential or long-term settings and engage people with disabilities or their representatives in the development process [ 7 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 38 , 40 , 80 ]. Research evidence and equitable perspectives on vulnerabilities faced by people with disabilities, such as the ones here synthesized, can also inform the development of disability-inclusive responses and preparedness plans—to a pandemic or overall disaster, crisis, or emergency events.…”

Risk of COVID-19 and major adverse clinical outcomes among people with disabilities in South Korea

“…This study suggests that the preparedness and response planning of COVID-19 must be inclusive of and accessible to PwDs by recognizing and addressing their challenges. 4 , 25 , 26 Information on COVID-19 should be conveyed using formats accessible to people with specific types of disabilities, such as those who are blind, deaf, and have intellectual impairment. Additionally, strategies for vital in-person communication, such as sign language interpreters and wearing of transparent masks by healthcare providers to allow lip-reading, must be safe and accessible.…”

Koronapandemian ja sen rajoittamistoimien vaikutukset toimintarajoitteisten ihmisten elämään

“…Heikompi elämänlaatu ja terveydentila sekä terveyden kannalta haitalliset elintavat ovat myös keskimäärin yleisempiä toimintarajoitteisten ryhmässä kuin muussa väestössä (8, 16-18. ) Osalla toimintarajoitteisista ihmisistä on sairauksia, jotka voivat altistaa koronavirustartunnalle tai lisätä taudin vakavuutta (19,20). Kun terveyspalveluihin pääsy on jo lähtökohtaisesti vaikeutunut, voi pandemia entisestään heikentää heidän terveyttään.…”

“…Heitä oli Suomen aikuisväestössä vuonna 2019 noin 26 000 (31). Koronavirustartunnan riski voi heillä olla suurempi, koska he eivät voi täysin välttää sosiaalisia kontakteja (19). Henkilökohtaisen avun saajat tarvitsevat selviytymisensä tukena monia sellaisia palveluja, joiden tuottamista pandemia on vaikeuttanut (4).…”