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Wagner A, Polak P, Rudek TJ, Świątkiewicz-Mośny M, Anderson A, Bockstal M, Gariglio L, Hasmanová Marhánková J, Hilário AP, Hobson-West P, Iorio J, Kuusipalo A, Numerato D, Scavarda A, Alcântara da Silva P, Soares Moura E, Vuolanto P. Agency in urgency and uncertainty. Vaccines and vaccination in European media discourses. Soc Sci Med 2024; 346:116725. [PMID: 38432000 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Although Covid-19 was not the first pandemic, it was unique in the scale and intensity with which societies responded. Countries reacted differently to the threat posed by the new virus. The public health crisis affected European societies in many ways. It also influenced the way the media portrayed vaccines and discussed factors related to vaccine hesitancy. Europeans differed in their risk perceptions, attitudes towards vaccines and vaccine uptake. In European countries, Covid-19-related discourses were at the centre of media attention for many months. This paper reports on a media analysis which revealed significant differences as well as some similarities in the media debates in different countries. The study focused on seven European countries and considered two dimensions of comparison: between the pre-Covid period and the beginning of the Covid pandemic period, and between countries. The rich methodological approach, including linguistics, semantic field analysis and discourse analysis of mainstream news media, allowed the authors to explore the set of meanings related to vaccination that might influence actors' agency. This approach led the authors to redefine vaccine hesitancy in terms of characteristics of the "society in the situation" rather than the psychological profile of individuals. We argue that vaccine hesitancy can be understood in terms of agency and temporality. This dilemma of choice that transforms the present into an irreversible past and must be taken in relation to an uncertain future, is particularly acute under the pressure of urgency and when someone's health is at stake. As such, it is linked to how vaccine meaning is co-produced within public discourses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Juliana Iorio
- Instituto de Ciências Sociais da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
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Salti N, McCall SJ, Abi Zeid B, El Salibi N, Alawieh M, Ramadan Z, Ghattas H, Abdulrahim S. The determinants of sustained adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among older Syrian refugees in Lebanon. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0268851. [PMID: 37347734 PMCID: PMC10286991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lebanon has battled the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of an economic crisis. The evolution of the pandemic and a fragile health system have meant that public health policy has had to rely heavily on non-pharmaceutical interventions for disease control. However, changes in disease dynamics, an unraveling economy, and pandemic fatigue have meant that disease control policies need to be updated. METHODS Using recent and timely data on older (50 years and above) Syrian refugees in Lebanon, this paper uses multivariate linear probability models to explore the determinants of adherence to two non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 prevention measures (wearing a mask and avoiding social gatherings) among this high-risk subgroup in a vulnerable population. Among respondents who report adhering to these measures, the paper also investigates the determinants of sustained adherence over a period of 6 months. RESULTS The findings suggest that no individual-level characteristics were robustly associated with mask wearing. For avoiding social gatherings, education was inversely associated with adherence to this preventive measure. Avoiding social gatherings was also significantly lower for residents of informal tented settlements (ITSs). Among initial adherents, and for both preventive practices, ITS dwellers were also significantly less likely to maintain adherence. CONCLUSION Identifying variables associated with adherence to non-pharmaceutical preventive practices, particularly for vulnerable groups, can help inform and refine interventions in the face of changing conditions. The material, physical, administrative and socio-economic constraints of life in an ITS suggest that avoiding social gatherings is hardly feasible. Yet despite the challenging conditions of ITSs, the indication to wear a mask is initially complied with, suggesting that tailoring policies to the limits and constrains of context can lead to successful outcomes even in very adverse settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Salti
- Department of Economics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Stephen J. McCall
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Berthe Abi Zeid
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Noura El Salibi
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | - Hala Ghattas
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sawsan Abdulrahim
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Kim JH, Kwok KO, Huang Z, Poon PKM, Hung KKC, Wong SYS, Chan EYY. A longitudinal study of COVID-19 preventive behavior fatigue in Hong Kong: a city with previous pandemic experience. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:618. [PMID: 37004041 PMCID: PMC10064631 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to high vaccination levels, COVID-19 control requires uptake and continued adherence to personal hygiene and social distancing behaviors. It is unclear whether residents of a city with successive experience in worldwide pandemics such as SARS, would quickly adopt and maintain preventive behaviors. METHODS A population-based, longitudinal telephone survey was conducted between in first local wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020) and third local wave (December 2020) (n = 403). The study examined factors associated with personal hygiene and social distancing behavior fatigue, as measured by reduced adherence. RESULTS Over 9 months, face mask use increased (96.5-100%, p < 0.001). Although habitual hand hygiene remained unchanged (92.0%), blue collar workers and non-working individuals showed higher risk of hand hygiene fatigue. There was a decline (p < 0.05) in avoidance of social gatherings (81.1 to 70.7%), avoidance of public places (52.9-27.5%) and avoidance of international travel (81.9-77.4%) even with rising caseloads. Lowered perception of COVID-19 disease severity was associated with decreased avoidance of social gatherings and public places while lower education was associated with decline in avoidance of social gatherings. CONCLUSION Even in regions with past pandemic experience, maintaining social distancing behaviors during a protracted pandemic remains a major public health challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean H Kim
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kin On Kwok
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhe Huang
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul Kwok-Ming Poon
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin Kei Ching Hung
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Accident & Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Samuel Yeung Shan Wong
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Emily Ying Yang Chan
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong, China.
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Yu Y, Lau MMC, Lau JTF. Reduction in COVID-19 related resource loss and decline in prevalence of probable depression in Chinese adults: an application of the Conservation of Resource Theory. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:19. [PMID: 36927395 PMCID: PMC10018587 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01068-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The levels of resource losses due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and mental distress may change during the pandemic period. Based on the Conservation of Resource (COR) Theory, this study investigated such changes and the mediation between survey time (Round 2 versus Round 1) and depression via resource losses. METHODS Two serial random population-based telephone surveys interviewed 209 and 458 Hong Kong Chinese adults in April 2020 and May 2021, respectively. Probable depression was defined as 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥ 10. The validated Conservation of Resources Scale for COVID-19 (CORS-COVID-19) scale was used to assess resource losses due to COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, hierarchical logistic regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the association, interaction, and mediation hypotheses, respectively. RESULTS The prevalence of probable depression declined from 8.6% to 1.0% over time, together with reductions in losses of financial resource (Cohen's d = 0.88), future control (Cohen's d = 0.39), social resource (Cohen's d = 0.60), and family resource (Cohen's d = 0.36) due to COVID-19. All the overall scale/subscales of the CORS-COVID-19 were positively and associated with probable depression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) ranged from 2.72 to 42.30]. In SEM, the survey time was negatively associated with the latent variable of resource loss (β = - 0.46), which in turn was positively associated with probable depression (β = 0.73). In addition, the direct effect of survey time on probable depression was statistically non-significant (β = - 0.08), indicating a full mediation effect of resource losses. CONCLUSIONS The lessening of the resource losses might have fully accounted for the significant decline in probable depression from Month 3 to 15 since the first COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong, China. The level of depression might have increased during the first phase of the pandemic, but might decline in the later phases if resources losses could be lessened. All stakeholders should hence work together to minimize individuals' COVID-19-related resource losses to prevent depression in the general population, as COVID-19 might be lasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiu Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mason M C Lau
- Centre for Health Behaviours Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joseph T F Lau
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. .,School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. .,School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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5
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Chow A, Guo H. Community adoption of protective behaviours: before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:663-664. [PMID: 36739971 PMCID: PMC9898048 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Chow
- Department of Preventive and Population Medicine, Office of Clinical Epidemiology, Analytics, and Knowledge (OCEAN), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore; Respiratory and Infectious Disease Programme, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Huiling Guo
- Department of Preventive and Population Medicine, Office of Clinical Epidemiology, Analytics, and Knowledge (OCEAN), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
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Shkurnikov M, Nersisyan S, Averinskaya D, Chekova M, Polyakov F, Titov A, Doroshenko D, Vechorko V, Tonevitsky A. HLA-A*01:01 allele diminishing in COVID-19 patients population associated with non-structural epitope abundance in CD8+ T-cell repertoire. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14707. [PMID: 36691482 PMCID: PMC9864130 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In mid-2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant caused the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in several countries worldwide. The pivotal studies were aimed at studying changes in the efficiency of neutralizing antibodies to the spike protein. However, much less attention was paid to the T-cell response and the presentation of virus peptides by MHC-I molecules. In this study, we compared the features of the HLA-I genotype in symptomatic patients with COVID-19 in the first and third waves of the pandemic. As a result, we could identify the diminishing of carriers of the HLA-A*01:01 allele in the third wave and demonstrate the unique properties of this allele. Thus, HLA-A*01:01-binding immunoprevalent epitopes are mostly derived from ORF1ab. A set of epitopes from ORF1ab was tested, and their high immunogenicity was confirmed. Moreover, analysis of the results of single-cell phenotyping of T-cells in recovered patients showed that the predominant phenotype in HLA-A*01:01 carriers is central memory T-cells. The predominance of T-lymphocytes of this phenotype may contribute to forming long-term T-cell immunity in carriers of this allele. Our results can be the basis for highly effective vaccines based on ORF1ab peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Shkurnikov
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stepan Nersisyan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia,Institute of Molecular Biology, The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia,Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI), Yerevan, Armenia,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Darya Averinskaya
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Milena Chekova
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Fedor Polyakov
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei Titov
- National Research Center for Hematology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Alexander Tonevitsky
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Leung JSM. Interaction between gut microbiota and COVID-19 and its vaccines. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:5801-5806. [PMID: 36353201 PMCID: PMC9639653 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i40.5801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The whole world has been continuously afflicted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for the past 3 years. Many countries have tried many methods to control this virus infection with varying successes and failures. The gut microbiota is a biosystem spanning the entire length of the digestive tract and playing important roles in health and disease. It is much affected by COVID-19. In return it also substantially impacts infection. In particular, the gut microbiota has established a bidirectional interaction with the COVID-19 vaccines, enhancing or reducing vaccine efficacy by virtue of its varying components. Conversely, COVID-19 vaccines also make a substantial impact on the gut microbiota, re-ducing its overall population and biodiversity. It is hoped that by exploring and harnessing this bidirectional interaction we may break new ground and develop new methods to prevent and treat this formidable virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S M Leung
- Cardiothoracic Unit, St. Paul’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China
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Wong SMY, Li YY, Hui CLM, Wong CSM, Wong TY, Cheung C, Suen YN, Lam BYH, Lui SSY, Chan KT, Wong MTH, Chan SKW, Chang WC, Lee EHM, Myin-Germeys I, Chen EYH. Impact of restrictive COVID-19 measures on daily momentary affect in an epidemiological youth sample in Hong Kong: An experience sampling study. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-10. [PMID: 35600262 PMCID: PMC9110277 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03183-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Restrictive COVID-19 measures can have significant mental health impacts, particularly on young people. How such measures may influence day-to-day momentary affect, nonetheless, remains to be explored. Experience sampling data were collected from 165 young people (aged 15-24) as part of a larger epidemiological youth mental health study in Hong Kong. We examined the impact of one of the most stringent COVID-19 measures - dine-in restrictions - on momentary positive and negative affect and current contexts and activities of these young people. The effects of a milder form of COVID-19 measure - school suspension - were separately examined. Multilevel analysis revealed that those in the dine-in ban group, compared to dining-as-usual, showed significantly reduced momentary positive affect (β = -0.17, SE = 0.06, p = 0.003). Its effect remained significant even when accounting for baseline depressive and anxiety symptoms and socioeconomic status (β = -0.15, SE = 0.05, p = 0.008). The effect of dine-in ban on reduced momentary positive affect was found specifically when participants were in indoor locations (e.g., home, office), alone, and engaged in passive leisure activities. This pattern was not observed when participants were at school or at other outdoor locations, with friends, or engaged in active leisure activities. No significant effect of school suspension on momentary affect was observed. More severe COVID-19 measures, such as dine-in ban, can have significant impacts on the momentary positive affect of young people. Certain contexts and activities may offer protection against the consequences of COVID-19 measures. The current findings may help to inform future designs of mental health interventions and public health policies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03183-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Y. Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yandy Y. Li
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christy L. M. Hui
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Corine S. M. Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - T. Y. Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Charlton Cheung
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Y. N. Suen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bess Y. H. Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon S. Y. Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - K. T. Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael T. H. Wong
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sherry K. W. Chan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - W. C. Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Edwin H. M. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Inez Myin-Germeys
- Department of Neurosciences, Research Group Psychiatry, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eric Y. H. Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 2/F New Clinical Building, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Chan EYY, Guha-Sapir D, Dubois C, Shaw R, Wong CS. Challenges of Data Availability and Use in Conducting Health-EDRM Research in a Post-COVID-19 World. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073917. [PMID: 35409599 PMCID: PMC8997713 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Disasters disrupt communication channels, infrastructure, and overburden health systems. This creates unique challenges to the functionality of surveillance tools, data collection systems, and information sharing platforms. The WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM) framework highlights the need for appropriate data collection, data interpretation, and data use from individual, community, and global levels. The COVID-19 crisis has evolved the way hazards and risks are viewed. No longer as a linear event but as a protracted hazard, with cascading and compound risks that affect communities facing complex risks such as climate-related disasters or urban growth. The large-scale disruptions of COVID-19 show that disaster data must evolve beyond mortality and frequency of events, in order to encompass the impact on the livelihood of communities, differentiated between population groups. This includes relative economic losses and psychosocial damage. COVID-19 has created a global opportunity to review how the scientific community classifies data, and how comparable indicators are selected to inform evidence-based resilience building and emergency preparedness. A shift into microlevel data, and regional-level information sharing is necessary to tailor community-level interventions for risk mitigation and disaster preparedness. Real-time data sharing, open governance, cross-organisational, and inter-platform collaboration are necessary not just in Health-EDRM and control of biological hazards, but for all natural hazards and man-made disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Ying Yang Chan
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response, Hong Kong, China;
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong, China
- Accident & Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-2252-8850
| | - Debarati Guha-Sapir
- Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
- Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Caroline Dubois
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- GX Foundation, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rajib Shaw
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa 252-0882, Japan;
| | - Chi Sing Wong
- Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response, Hong Kong, China;
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
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