The impact of disrupted care during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to sharp increases in non-COVID causes of illness and death, according to a recent study published by The BMJ. The study highlights significant rises in mental health disorders, malaria in young children, stroke, and heart disease in older adults as a result of the pandemic.
One of the key findings of the study was the increase in new cases of depressive disorders by 23% in 5–14 year-olds and a 14% rise in malaria deaths in children under 5 years old from 2020–2021. The researchers emphasize the need for future responses to public health emergencies to address not only infection control but also the long-term health impacts on the population.
Health care services were severely affected during the pandemic, hindering efforts to prevent and control many health conditions. The study used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to analyze the burden of 174 health conditions in 2020 and 2021 across different regions, age groups, and sexes. The analysis included 204 countries and territories, focusing on measures such as incidence, prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
Depressive and anxiety disorders, along with malaria, were identified as the most affected health conditions, with significant increases in disease burden compared to other causes. The study revealed a rise in age-standardized DALY rates for malaria by 12%, depressive and anxiety disorders by 12% and 14%, respectively, especially among females.
The incidence and prevalence rates for depressive and anxiety disorders also saw notable increases during the pandemic, particularly among specific age groups. Prevalence rates for heart disease, especially ischemic heart disease and stroke in individuals aged 70 and above, also experienced significant rises.
Despite some limitations in data quality and potential underreporting, the researchers suggest that their analysis provides valuable insights for improving health system preparedness. They emphasize the need to strengthen health system resilience, enhance integrated surveillance, and adopt syndemic-informed strategies to better prepare for future public health emergencies.
By integrating these findings into post-pandemic plans, countries can improve their resilience and response to future health crises. Concrete steps include allocating budgets for essential services during emergencies, reinforcing primary health care, expanding disease surveillance networks, and prioritizing universal health coverage, especially for disadvantaged communities.
In conclusion, recognizing and addressing the indirect toll of the pandemic on health conditions will not only save lives but also strengthen health systems for future public health emergencies. The study underscores the importance of data-driven recovery strategies to minimize disruptions and promote equitable health outcomes in the face of future challenges.
