Intersecting household-level health and socio-economic vulnerabilities and the COVID-19 crisis: An analysis from the UK

Mikolai, Júlia; Keenan, Katherine; Kulu, Hill

doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100628

Cited by 92 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It is still largely unknown whether and to what extent the impact of COVID-19 on different sociodemographic groups varies by country-level characteristics. 21 For example, country macro-level indicators such as income and wealth distribution may modify this impact, for example, by amplifying social gradients in health and social outcomes. 22 23 Additionally, job loss and healthcare utilisation in older adults may be affected by country-level characteristics specific to COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Job loss and lower healthcare utilisation due to COVID-19 among older adults across 27 European countries

Jiskrova

Bobák

Pikhart

et al. 2021

J Epidemiol Community Health

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BackgroundOlder adults are at greater risk for becoming severely ill from COVID-19; however, the impact of the pandemic on their economic activity and non-COVID-19-related healthcare utilisation is not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of COVID-19-related unemployment and healthcare utilisation in a sample of older adults across 27 European countries.MethodsWe used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe COVID-19 Survey, collected between June and August 2020. Participants (n=52 061) reported whether they lost a job, forwent medical treatment and whether their appointment was postponed due to COVID-19. Three-level models were estimated for each outcome to test the effects of individual, household and country-level characteristics.ResultsThe mean prevalence of reported job loss, and forgone and postponed medical care was 19%, 12% and 26%, respectively. Job loss was associated with female sex, lower education and household income, and older age in women. For example, the OR of job loss, comparing primary versus tertiary (college) education, was 1.89 (95% CI 1.59 to 2.26). Forgone and postponed medical care was associated with older age in men, female sex and higher education. At the country level, postponed medical care was associated with more stringent governmental anti-COVID measures.ConclusionJob loss and lower healthcare utilisation for non-COVID-19-related reasons were common among older adults and were associated with several sociodemographic characteristics. Job loss appeared to disproportionally affect already economically vulnerable individuals, raising concerns about the exacerbation of social inequalities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Job loss and lower healthcare utilisation due to COVID-19 among older adults across 27 European countries

Jiskrova

Bobák

Pikhart

et al. 2021

J Epidemiol Community Health

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“…Staying at home can have negative impacts for resident mental health, such as increased depressive symptoms, symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and acute stress [30]. While staying at home, household features such as access to a private yard or patio become more important as a determinant of health and well-being [31]. For example, access to outdoor spaces may help to mitigate the negative impacts of staying at home on residents’ mental health by providing safe sociable spaces [32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I don’t feel safe sitting in my own yard”: Chicago resident experiences with urban rats during a COVID-19 stay-at-home order

Murray

Byers

Buckley

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundEncounters with rats in urban areas increase risk of human exposure to rat-associated zoonotic pathogens and act as a stressor associated with psychological distress. The frequency and nature of human-rat encounters may be altered by social distancing policies to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, restaurant closures may reduce food availability for rats and promote rat activity in nearby residential areas, thus increasing public health risks during a period of public health crisis. In this study, we aimed to identify factors associated with increased perceived exposure to rats during a stay-at-home order, describe residents’ encounters with rats relevant to their health and well-being, and identify factors associated with increased use of rodent control.MethodsUrban residents in Chicago, a large city with growing concerns about rats and health disparities, completed an online questionnaire including fixed response and open-ended questions during the spring 2020 stay-at-home order. Analyses included ordinal multivariate regression, spatial analysis, and thematic analysis for open-ended responses.ResultsOverall, 21% of respondents (n=835) reported an increase in rat sightings around their homes during the stay-at-home order and increased rat sightings was positively associated with proximity to restaurants, low-rise apartment buildings, and rat feces in the home (p≤0.01). Many respondents described feeling unsafe using their patio or yard, and afraid of rats entering their home or spreading disease. Greater engagement with rodent control was associated with property ownership, information about rat control, and lower incomes (p≤0.01).ConclusionsMore frequent rat encounters may be an unanticipated public health concern during periods of social distancing, especially in restaurant-dense areas or in low-rise apartment buildings. Rat presence may also limit residents’ ability to enjoy nearby outdoor spaces, which otherwise might buffer stress experienced during a stay-at-home order. Proactive rat control may be needed to mitigate rat-associated health risks during future stay-at-home orders.

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“…Secondly, data shows that racialized and ethnic minorities in the UK to a much higher degree live in what is categorised as overcrowded housing conditions (Mikolai et al, 2020). In the UK, ethnic minorities have the highest rates of overcrowded households where 'the highest rates of overcrowding were in the Bangladeshi (24%), Pakistani (18%), Black African (16%), Arab (15%) and Mixed White and Black African (14%) ethnic groups'.…”

Section: Precarious Life and Acceptabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The necropolitics of COVID-19: Race, class and slow death in an ongoing pandemic

Sandset

2021

Global Public Health

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Intersecting household-level health and socio-economic vulnerabilities and the COVID-19 crisis: An analysis from the UK

Cited by 92 publications

References 19 publications

Job loss and lower healthcare utilisation due to COVID-19 among older adults across 27 European countries

Job loss and lower healthcare utilisation due to COVID-19 among older adults across 27 European countries

“I don’t feel safe sitting in my own yard”: Chicago resident experiences with urban rats during a COVID-19 stay-at-home order

The necropolitics of COVID-19: Race, class and slow death in an ongoing pandemic

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