1
|
Scott S, McGowan VJ, Wildman J, Bidmead E, Hartley J, Mathews C, James B, Sullivan C, Bambra C, Sowden S. "I'll meet you at our bench": adaptation, innovation and resilience among VCSE organisations who supported marginalised and minoritised communities during the Covid-19 pandemic in Northern England - a qualitative focus group study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:7. [PMID: 38172856 PMCID: PMC10765907 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10435-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and increased adversity and challenges for vulnerable and marginalised communities worldwide. In the UK, the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people who are marginalised or experiencing multiple complex needs. However, only a small number of studies have focused on the impact that Covid-19 had on the VCSE sector. METHODS As part of a Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (HIIA), we conducted qualitative focus groups with staff and volunteers from five organisations to examine short, medium and longer-term impacts of Covid-19 upon the VCSE sector in Northern England. Nine online focus groups were conducted between March and July 2021. FINDINGS Focus group transcripts were analysed using Framework Analysis and yielded three central themes: (1) exacerbation of pre-existing inequalities, adversity and challenges for vulnerable and marginalised populations; (2) the 'price' of being flexible, innovative and agile for VCSE staff and volunteers; and (3) the voluntary sector as a 'lifeline' - organisational pride and resilience. CONCLUSIONS While the voluntary sector 'adapted at pace' to provide support during Covid-19 and in its continued aftermath, this resilience has potentially come at the cost of workforce and volunteer wellbeing, compounded by political obstacles and chronic shortage in funding and support. The VCSE sector has a vital role to play in the post-lockdown 'levelling up' agenda. The expertise, capacity and resilience of VCSE organisations, and their ability to respond to Covid-19, should be celebrated, recognised and supported adequately to maintain its resilience. To not do so threatens the sector's sustainability and risks jeopardising attempts to involve the sector in addressing the social determinants of health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Scott
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Building, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK.
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, St Nicholas' Hospital, Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3XT, UK.
| | - V J McGowan
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Building, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK
| | - J Wildman
- ScotCen, Scotiabank House, 6 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AW, UK
| | - E Bidmead
- Institute of Health, University of Cumbria, Fusehill Street, Carlisle, CA1 2HH, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, St Nicholas' Hospital, Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3XT, UK
| | - J Hartley
- VONNE, 4th Floor, MEA House, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 8XS, UK
| | - C Mathews
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, Waterfront 4, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, NE15 8NY, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - B James
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, Waterfront 4, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, NE15 8NY, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - C Sullivan
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, Waterfront 4, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, NE15 8NY, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - C Bambra
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Building, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria, St Nicholas' Hospital, Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3XT, UK
| | - S Sowden
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Building, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, Waterfront 4, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, NE15 8NY, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kalocsányiová E, Essex R, Fortune V. Inequalities in Covid-19 Messaging: A Systematic Scoping Review. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 38:2549-2558. [PMID: 35850593 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2088022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been widely documented. While deaths are now in the millions and many more have been impacted in other ways, the impact of Covid-19 has not been felt equally, with it exacerbating existing inequalities and disproportionately impacting a number of populations. With this Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges in relation to health communication, with the need to reach disadvantaged populations. This systematic scoping review sought to 1) synthesize the existing research regarding communication inequalities in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and 2) analyze the recommendations that emerge from this body of evidence on how to best address these inequalities. This review includes 40 studies that fell into three broad groups (1) those revealing a disadvantage or inequality in studies of general population; (2) those focussing on communication with sub-groups disproportionately affected by the pandemic; and (3) those reporting and evaluating practical attempts to address inequalities. The results largely corroborate those found in past pandemics, highlighting the role of sociodemographic, cultural/religious, and economic factors in facilitating/jeopardizing the public's capacity to access and act upon public health messaging. In a number of studies it was encouraging to see recommendations from the literature - particularly, lessons learnt on the importance of community partnerships, trusted messengers and the co-creation of health and risk messages - being applied, however many challenges remain unmet. Covid-19 has also highlighted the need to actively tackle misinformation, something which was recognized, but largely unaddressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan Essex
- Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich
| | - Vanessa Fortune
- Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ahmed D, Benavente P, Diaz E. Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5273. [PMID: 37047889 PMCID: PMC10093953 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the measures imposed to control it have impacted food security globally, particularly among vulnerable populations. Food insecurity, in turn, has repercussions on health, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. This scoping review maps the literature describing associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity among migrants, with a particular view toward health. A total of 909 papers were extracted through four electronic databases, and 46 studies were included. The migrant populations described originated mainly from Latin America (11/46) and were located in North America (21/46). Most studies included refugees and asylum seekers (20/46). The main challenges described were financial hardship (28/46), the effect of migrants' documentation status on using public food aid (13/46), and the suspension of or reduction in humanitarian assistance due to the economic recession (7/46). The impact of food insecurity on migrants' mental and physical health was described in 26 of the 46 studies. Authorities in all destination countries should focus their attention and efforts into ensuring nutrition security for migrants in a holistic way, including their economic and legal integration, to be better prepared for health crises in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doua Ahmed
- Centre of International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Pierina Benavente
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Morgado-Toscano C, Gómez-Salgado J, Fagundo-Rivera J, Navarro-Abal Y, Rodríguez-Jiménez L, Climent-Rodríguez JA, Allande-Cussó R. Anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the UK general population: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33045. [PMID: 36897683 PMCID: PMC9997195 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There is still a generalized feeling of uncertainty in the population due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as restrictions on daily routines and social contact, accompanied by a large number of infections, negatively affect different areas of people's lives and, therefore, their mental health. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in the general UK population, using the Anxiety and Fear to COVID-19 Assessment Scale (Ansiedad y Miedo al COVID-19) (AMICO) scale. A descriptive, cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire was conducted in a sample of the UK general population in 2021. Socio-demographic and employment variables were included. The AMICO scale was included to measure fear and anxiety about COVID-19. The relationship between variables was studied with a categorical regression analysis. In general, participants regarded themselves as well-informed about the pandemic, although 62.6% had only received 1 dose of the vaccine. Regarding the AMICO scale the total score was 4.85 (out of 10; standard deviation 2.398). Women showed higher scores for the AMICO than men. The bivariate analysis revealed statistically significant differences in relation to self-confidence, amount of information received, and vaccination variables as related to the mean AMICO scores. An average level of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 is shown in the general UK population, which is lower than most of the studies that assessed the impact of the pandemic on the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Morgado-Toscano
- Health Sciences Doctorate School, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Juan Gómez-Salgado
- Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li L, Taeihagh A, Tan SY. A scoping review of the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on vulnerable population groups. Nat Commun 2023; 14:599. [PMID: 36737447 PMCID: PMC9897623 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36267-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Most governments have enacted physical or social distancing measures to control COVID-19 transmission. Yet little is known about the socio-economic trade-offs of these measures, especially for vulnerable populations, who are exposed to increased risks and are susceptible to adverse health outcomes. To examine the impacts of physical distancing measures on the most vulnerable in society, this scoping review screened 39,816 records and synthesised results from 265 studies worldwide documenting the negative impacts of physical distancing on older people, children/students, low-income populations, migrant workers, people in prison, people with disabilities, sex workers, victims of domestic violence, refugees, ethnic minorities, and people from sexual and gender minorities. We show that prolonged loneliness, mental distress, unemployment, income loss, food insecurity, widened inequality and disruption of access to social support and health services were unintended consequences of physical distancing that impacted these vulnerable groups and highlight that physical distancing measures exacerbated the vulnerabilities of different vulnerable populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- Policy Systems Group, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Araz Taeihagh
- Policy Systems Group, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Si Ying Tan
- Alexandra Research Centre for Healthcare in The Virtual Environment (ARCHIVE), Department of Healthcare Redesign, Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pervan L, Parker S, Wheeler M, Dark F. Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on People with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness within Rehabilitation Services: A Thematic Analysis. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION AND MENTAL HEALTH 2022:1-11. [PMID: 36466000 PMCID: PMC9686248 DOI: 10.1007/s40737-022-00320-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The COVID 19 pandemic has required major changes in healthcare delivery. This study sought to understand the impact of the mental healthcare changes associated with COVID-19 on people living with severe and persisting mental illness (SPMI) and staff working in rehabilitation teams in Queensland in Australia. Telephone interviews were completed with participants diagnosed with SPMI who were supported by the rehabilitation teams of a public mental health service (n = 18). Additionally, an anonymous survey was completed with staff from these teams (n = 20, 17.5% of staff). Both datasets were analysed separately using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified through the analysis of the patient interviews: wishing the whole thing would go away; [COVID-19 has] delayed my recovery; being more socially aware; and (you've) got to be clean (which is a) good thing. Four themes emerged through the analysis of the staff survey data: needing to change the model of care; impact on patients, the impact on staff, positive impact. The perceived impact on participant's mental health was like that which was reported in the general population. Participants' emphasised anxiety, loneliness, boredom, and depression rather than a relapse of their primary psychotic illness. Participants noted the pandemic slowed the pace of personal recovery and limited the delivery of specialised rehabilitation programs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40737-022-00320-5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke Pervan
- Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Stephen Parker
- Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Brisbane, QLD Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Maddison Wheeler
- Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Frances Dark
- Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Brisbane, QLD Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| |
Collapse
|