1
|
Wanigaratne S, Shah B, Stukel TA, Lu H, Den Otter-Moore S, Shetty J, Saunders N, Gandhi S, Guttmann A. COVID-19 hospitalization, mortality and pre-mature mortality by a history of immigration in Ontario, Canada: a population-based cohort study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 34:100762. [PMID: 38779655 PMCID: PMC11109005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Background Immigrants in high-income countries experienced inequities in COVID-19 severe outcomes. We examined hospitalization and death throughout the pandemic, and change during the vaccine era, in Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted a population-based study using linked immigration and health data, following two cohorts for 20 months from January 1, 2020 (pre-vaccine) and September 1, 2021 (vaccine era). We used multivariable Poisson generalized estimating equation regression to estimate adjusted rate ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for age, sex and co-morbidities. We calculated age-standardized years of life lost (ASYRs) rates by immigrant category. Findings Of 11,692,387 community-dwelling adults in the pre-vaccine era cohort and 11,878,304 community-dwelling adults in the vaccine era cohort, 21.6% and 21.4% of adults in each era respectively were immigrants. Females accounted for 57.9% and 57.8% of sponsored family, and 68.4% and 67.6% of economic caregivers, in each era respectively. Compared to other Ontarians in the pre-vaccine era cohort, hospitalization rates were highest for refugees (aRR [95% CI] 3.41 [3.39-3.44]) and caregivers (3.13 [3.07-3.18]), followed by sponsored family and other economic immigrants. Compared to other Ontarians, aRRs were highest for immigrants from Central America (5.00 [4.92-5.09]), parts of South Asia (3.95 [3.89-4.01]) and Jamaica (3.56 [3.51-3.61]) with East Asians having lower aRRs. Mortality aRRs were similar to hospitalization aRRs. In the vaccine era, all aRRs were attenuated and most were similar to or lower than other Ontarians, with refugees and a few regions maintaining higher rates. In the pre-vaccine era ASYRs were higher for all immigrant groups. ASYRs dropped in the vaccine era with only refugees continuing to have higher rates. Interpretation Immigrants, particularly refugees, experienced greater premature mortality. aRRs for most immigrant groups dropped substantially after high vaccine coverage was achieved. Vaccine outreach and improvements in the social determinants of health are needed. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Research Chairs Program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susitha Wanigaratne
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Baiju Shah
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Therese A. Stukel
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Janavi Shetty
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Natasha Saunders
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Paediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Astrid Guttmann
- Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Paediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Meulman I, Uiters E, Cloin M, Struijs J, Polder J, Stadhouders N. From test to rest: evaluating socioeconomic differences along the COVID-19 care pathway in the Netherlands. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2024:10.1007/s10198-024-01680-4. [PMID: 38499952 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01680-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated healthcare needs and caused excess mortality, especially among lower socioeconomic groups. This study describes the emergence of socioeconomic differences along the COVID-19 pathway of testing, healthcare use and mortality in the Netherlands. METHODOLOGY This retrospective observational Dutch population-based study combined individual-level registry data from June 2020 to December 2020 on personal socioeconomic characteristics, COVID-19 administered tests, test results, general practitioner (GP) consultations, hospital admissions, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions and mortality. For each outcome measure, relative differences between income groups were estimated using log-link binomial regression models. Furthermore, regression models explained socioeconomic differences in COVID-19 mortality by differences in ICU/hospital admissions, test administration and test results. RESULTS Among the Dutch population, the lowest income group had a lower test probability (RR = 0.61) and lower risk of testing positive (RR = 0.77) compared to the highest income group. However, among individuals with at least one administered COVID-19 test, the lowest income group had a higher risk of testing positive (RR = 1.40). The likelihood of hospital admissions and ICU admissions were higher for low income groups (RR = 2.11 and RR = 2.46, respectively). The lowest income group had an almost four times higher risk of dying from COVID-19 (RR = 3.85), which could partly be explained by a higher risk of hospitalization and ICU admission, rather than differences in test administration or result. DISCUSSION Our findings indicated that socioeconomic differences became more pronounced at each step of the care pathway, culminating to a large gap in mortality. This underlines the need for enhancing social security and well-being policies and incorporation of health equity in pandemic preparedness plans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Meulman
- Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
- Center for Public Health, Healthcare & Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Ellen Uiters
- Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Cloin
- Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Struijs
- Center for Public Health, Healthcare & Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center-Health Campus The Hague, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Polder
- Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Center for Public Health, Healthcare & Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Stadhouders
- Scientific Center for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rostila M, Cederström A, Wallace M, Aradhya S, Ahrne M, Juárez SP. Inequalities in COVID-19 severe morbidity and mortality by country of birth in Sweden. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4919. [PMID: 37582909 PMCID: PMC10427621 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40568-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Migrants have been more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether this has varied over the course of the pandemic remains unknown. We examined how inequalities in intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death related to COVID-19 by country of birth have evolved over the course of the pandemic, while considering the contribution of social conditions and vaccination uptake. A population-based cohort study was conducted including adults living in Sweden between March 1, 2020 and June 1, 2022 (n = 7,870,441). Poisson regressions found that migrants from Africa, Middle East, Asia and European countries without EU28/EEA, UK and Switzerland had higher risk of COVID-19 mortality and ICU admission than Swedish-born. High risks of COVID-19 ICU admission was also found in migrants from South America. Inequalities were generally reduced through subsequent waves of the pandemic. In many migrant groups socioeconomic status and living conditions contributed to the disparities while vaccination campaigns were decisive when such became available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Rostila
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Agneta Cederström
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew Wallace
- Demography Unit, Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siddartha Aradhya
- Demography Unit, Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Ahrne
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sol P Juárez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Irizar P, Pan D, Kapadia D, Bécares L, Sze S, Taylor H, Amele S, Kibuchi E, Divall P, Gray LJ, Nellums LB, Katikireddi SV, Pareek M. Ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, intensive care admission, and death: a global systematic review and meta-analysis of over 200 million study participants. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 57:101877. [PMID: 36969795 PMCID: PMC9986034 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has exacerbated existing ethnic inequalities in health. Little is known about whether inequalities in severe disease and deaths, observed globally among minoritised ethnic groups, relates to greater infection risk, poorer prognosis, or both. We analysed global data on COVID-19 clinical outcomes examining inequalities between people from minoritised ethnic groups compared to the ethnic majority group. Methods Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) were searched from 1st December 2019 to 3rd October 2022, for studies reporting original clinical data for COVID-19 outcomes disaggregated by ethnicity: infection, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality. We assessed inequalities in incidence and prognosis using random-effects meta-analyses, with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) use to assess certainty of findings. Meta-regressions explored the impact of region and time-frame (vaccine roll-out) on heterogeneity. PROSPERO: CRD42021284981. Findings 77 studies comprising over 200,000,000 participants were included. Compared with White majority populations, we observed an increased risk of testing positive for infection for people from Black (adjusted Risk Ratio [aRR]:1.78, 95% CI:1.59-1.99, I2 = 99.1), South Asian (aRR:3.00, 95% CI:1.59-5.66, I2 = 99.1), Mixed (aRR:1.64, 95% CI:1.02-1.67, I2 = 93.2) and Other ethnic groups (aRR:1.36, 95% CI:1.01-1.82, I2 = 85.6). Black, Hispanic, and South Asian people were more likely to be seropositive. Among population-based studies, Black and Hispanic ethnic groups and Indigenous peoples had an increased risk of hospitalisation; Black, Hispanic, South Asian, East Asian and Mixed ethnic groups and Indigenous peoples had an increased risk of ICU admission. Mortality risk was increased for Hispanic, Mixed, and Indigenous groups. Smaller differences were seen for prognosis following infection. Following hospitalisation, South Asian, East Asian, Black and Mixed ethnic groups had an increased risk of ICU admission, and mortality risk was greater in Mixed ethnic groups. Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Interpretation Our study suggests that systematic ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 health outcomes exist, with large differences in exposure risk and some differences in prognosis following hospitalisation. Response and recovery interventions must focus on tackling drivers of ethnic inequalities which increase exposure risk and vulnerabilities to severe disease, including structural racism and racial discrimination. Funding ESRC:ES/W000849/1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Irizar
- School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Pan
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, United Kingdom
- Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Oxford Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, United Kingdom
| | - Dharmi Kapadia
- School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Laia Bécares
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Shirley Sze
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Taylor
- School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Amele
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Eliud Kibuchi
- MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Pip Divall
- University Hospitals of Leicester, Education Centre Library, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom
| | - Laura J Gray
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Laura B Nellums
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust, United Kingdom
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sjörs Dahlman A, Anund A. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among public transport workers in Sweden. JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT & HEALTH 2022; 27:101508. [PMID: 36188635 PMCID: PMC9515328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Public transportation is an essential societal function in crisis situations like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Bus drivers and other public transport workers are essential workers that need to keep working despite the risk of contagion. The SARS-CoV-2 virus may pose an occupational health risk to public transport workers and especially to bus drivers as they interact with passengers in a confined area. By analyzing antibodies towards SARS-CoV-2 proteins in blood samples it is possible to measure if an individual has been infected by COVID-19. Here, we report the prevalence of antibodies among bus drivers and other public transport employees in Stockholm, Sweden and relate it to socio-demographic factors. METHODS Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies towards SARS-CoV-2 proteins was investigated in a sample of 262 non-vaccinated public transport workers (182 men and 40 women) recruited between April 26 and May 7, 2021. Most of the participants were bus drivers (n = 222). The relationship between socio-demographic factors and seroprevalence was investigated with logistic regression. RESULTS The seroprevalence was 50% in the total sample of public transport workers. Among bus drivers, 51% were seropositive compared to 44% seropositive among the other public transport workers. The difference was not significant. The seroprevalence was higher than the national seroprevalence in Sweden during the same period (18.3% in non-vaccinated people aged 20-64 years). The logistic regression model using Wald forward selection showed that men had a higher risk of being seropositive (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3 - 5.8) and there was a higher risk with increasing number of people in the household (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 - 1.6). CONCLUSIONS These findings could imply an occupational risk for COVID-19 infection among public transport workers. Infection control measures are warranted during virus epidemics to assure bus drives' safety and reduce transmission in public transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sjörs Dahlman
- The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Electrical Engineering and SAFER Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Anund
- The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Linköping, Sweden
- Rehabilitation Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden and Stockholm University, Stockholm Stress Centre, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rosengren A, Söderberg M, Lundberg CE, Lindgren M, Santosa A, Edqvist J, Åberg M, Gisslén M, Robertson J, Cronie O, Sattar N, Lagergren J, Brandén M, Björk J, Adiels M. COVID-19 in people aged 18-64 in Sweden in the first year of the pandemic: Key factors for severe disease and death. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 4:100095. [PMID: 36447481 PMCID: PMC9683858 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2022.100095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies on risk factors for severe COVID-19 in people of working age have generally not included non-working persons or established population attributable fractions (PAFs) for occupational and other factors. Objectives We describe the effect of job-related, sociodemographic, and other exposures on the incidence, relative risks and PAFs of severe COVID-19 in individuals aged 18-64. Methods We conducted a registry-based study in Swedish citizens aged 18-64 from 1 January 2020 to 1 February 2021 with respect to COVID-19-related hospitalizations and death. Results Of 6,205,459 persons, 272,043 (7.5%) were registered as infected, 3399 (0.05%) needed intensive care, and 620 (0.01%) died, with an estimated case fatality rate of 0.06% over the last 4-month period when testing was adequate. Non-Nordic origin was associated with a RR for need of intensive care of 3·13, 95%CI 2·91-3·36, and a PAF of 32·2% after adjustment for age, sex, work, region and comorbidities. In a second model with occupation as main exposure, and adjusted for age, sex, region, comorbidities and origin, essential workers had an RR of 1·51, 95%CI, 1·35-1·6, blue-collar workers 1·18, 95%CI 1·06-1·31, school staff 1·21, 95%CI 1·01-1·46, and health and social care workers 1·89, 95%CI 1·67-2·135) compared with people able to work from home, with altogether about 13% of the PAF associated with these occupations. Essential workers and blue-collar workers, but no other job categories had higher risk of death, adjusted RRs of 1·79, 95%CI 1·34-2·38 and 1·37, 95%CI 1·04-1·81, with adjusted PAFs of altogether 9%. Conclusion Among people of working age in Sweden, overall mortality and case fatality were low. Occupations that require physical presence at work were associated with elevated risk of needing intensive care for COVID-19, with 14% cases attributable to this factor, and 9% of deaths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Rosengren
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Medicine Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Östra Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden,Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mia Söderberg
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christina E. Lundberg
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Lindgren
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Medicine Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Östra Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ailiana Santosa
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jon Edqvist
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Åberg
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,Region Västra Götaland, Regionhälsan, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Gisslén
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Josefina Robertson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ottmar Cronie
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Naveed Sattar
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jesper Lagergren
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden,School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Brandén
- Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden,Institute for Analytical Sociology (IAS), Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Jonas Björk
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Clinical Studies Sweden, Forum South, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Adiels
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hrzic R, Davidovitch N, Barros H, Lopes H, Moreno JMM, Mason-Jones AJ, McCallum A, Reid J, Reintjes R, Sheek-Hussein M, Simon J, Wong BLH, Leighton L, Otok R, Middleton J. ASPHER Statement: Facing the Fourth Winter of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Public Health Rev 2022; 43:1605395. [PMID: 36267593 PMCID: PMC9578432 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2022.1605395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rok Hrzic
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute – CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- School of Public Health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Henrique Barros
- Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Lopes
- Unit of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Catolica University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jose M. Martin Moreno
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School and INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Alison McCallum
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - John Reid
- Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Reintjes
- Department of Public Health, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mohamud Sheek-Hussein
- Institute of Public Health — College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Judit Simon
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute – CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- The International Digital Health and AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lore Leighton
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Otok
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - John Middleton
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rosengren A, Lundberg CE, Söderberg M, Santosa A, Edqvist J, Lindgren M, Åberg M, Gisslén M, Robertson J, Cronie O, Sattar N, Lagergren J, Brandén M, Björk J, Adiels M. Severe COVID-19 in people 55 and older during the first year of the pandemic in Sweden. J Intern Med 2022; 292:641-653. [PMID: 35612518 PMCID: PMC9348046 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to many contacts is the main risk factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, while risk of serious disease and death is chiefly determined by old age and comorbidities. Relative and population-attributable fractions (PAFs) of multiple medical and social exposures for COVID-19 outcomes have not been evaluated among older adults. OBJECTIVES We describe the effect of multiple exposures on the odds of testing positive for the virus and of severe disease (hospital care or death) and PAFs in Swedish citizens aged 55 years and above. METHODS We used national registers to follow all citizens aged 55 years and above with respect to (1) testing positive, (2) hospitalization, and (3) death between 31 January 2020 and 1 February 2021. RESULTS Of 3,410,241 persons, 156,017 (4.6%, mean age 68.3 years) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while 35,999 (1.1%, mean age 76.7 years) were hospitalized or died (12,384 deaths, 0.4%, mean age 84.0 years). Among the total cohort, the proportion living without home care or long-term care was 98.8% among persons aged 55-64 and 22.1% of those aged 95 and above. After multiple adjustment, home care and long-term care were associated with odds ratios of 7.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.8-9.1) and 22.5 (95% CI 19.6-25.7) for mortality, with PAFs of 21.9% (95% CI 20.9-22.9) and 33.3% (95% CI 32.4-34.3), respectively. CONCLUSION Among Swedish residents aged 55 years and above, those with home care or long-term care had markedly increased risk for COVID-19 death during the first year of the pandemic, with over 50% of deaths attributable to these factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Rosengren
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Medicine, Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Östra Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christina E Lundberg
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mia Söderberg
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ailiana Santosa
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jon Edqvist
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Lindgren
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Department of Medicine, Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Östra Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Åberg
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Regionhälsan, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Gisslén
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Josefina Robertson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ottmar Cronie
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Naveed Sattar
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jesper Lagergren
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Brandén
- Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Analytical Sociology (IAS), Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
| | - Jonas Björk
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Clinical Studies Sweden, Forum South, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Adiels
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Andersen MB, Kjeld SG, Bast LS. Changes in Cigarette Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Use During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Lockdown Period Among Youth and Young Adults in Denmark. Nicotine Tob Res 2022; 25:298-308. [PMID: 36000931 PMCID: PMC9452126 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntac203] [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] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (snus and nicotine pouches) are prevalent among youth and young adults in Denmark. Here, we examined the extent of changes in the use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco during the first Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown in March and April 2020 in Denmark as well as reasons for changed behavior. AIMS AND METHODS This study used data from a nationwide survey conducted among 15- to 29-year-olds from January to March 2021 including 13 530 respondents (response rate = 36.0%). Logistic regression analyses assessed the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the odds of initiating or increasing as well as trying to stop or decreasing cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use. RESULTS The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 17.8% and 10.5% reported using smokeless tobacco. Around 40% of those currently smoking cigarettes reported smoke on par during the COVID-19 lockdown as before, 24.5% started to smoke or increased their smoking, and 27.4% tried to stop or smoked less. Approximately 37% used smokeless tobacco on the same level as, before the COVID-19 lockdown, 38.8% initiated or used more, and 14.1% tried to stop or used less. Females were more prone to initiate smokeless tobacco use and increase their level of smoking during the lockdown, and younger participants smoked less. More females compared with males changed their smoking behaviors because of their mood, and more younger participants did so because of fewer social gatherings. CONCLUSION Although most youths and young adults' tobacco behaviors remained the same during the COVID-19 lockdown, many also increased or decreased their behaviors-especially females and younger participants. IMPLICATIONS This study enables the possibility of detecting new tendencies in smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco among subgroups of the population during the COVID-19 lockdown. This knowledge is crucial for identifying which groups of youths are vulnerable to increasing their tobacco use in other pandemic situations and which groups call for special attention after the lockdown period. Future efforts may focus on vulnerable groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as females, and there is a need to monitor closely whether youth tobacco use changes as society becomes more normalized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Borring Andersen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestraede 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Simone G Kjeld
- Corresponding author: Simone G. Kjeld, MSc, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestraede 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark, E-mail:
| | - Lotus S Bast
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestraede 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Di Girolamo C, Gnavi R, Landriscina T, Forni S, Falcone M, Calandrini E, Cesaroni G, Russo A, Leoni O, Fanizza C, Allotta A, Costa G, Spadea T. Indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures on social inequalities in hospital utilisation in Italy. J Epidemiol Community Health 2022; 76:jech-2021-218452. [PMID: 35552241 PMCID: PMC9130664 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2021-218452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pandemic may undermine the equity of access to and utilisation of health services for conditions other than COVID-19. The objective of the study is to evaluate the indirect impact of COVID-19 and lockdown measures on sociodemographic inequalities in healthcare utilisation in seven Italian areas. METHODS In this multicentre retrospective study, we evaluated whether COVID-19 modified the association between educational level or deprivation and indicators of hospital utilisation and quality of care. We also assessed variations in gradients by sex and age class. We estimated age-standardised rates and prevalence and their relative per cent changes comparing pandemic (2020) and pre-pandemic (2018-2019) periods, and the Relative Index of Inequalities (RIIs) fitting multivariable Poisson models with an interaction between socioeconomic position and period. RESULTS Compared with 2018-2019, hospital utilisation and, to a lesser extent, timeliness of procedures indicators fell during the first months of 2020. Larger declines were registered among women, the elderly and the low educated resulting in a shrinkage (or widening if RII <1) of the educational gradients for most of the indicators. Timeliness of procedures indicators did not show any educational gradient neither before nor during the pandemic. Inequalities by deprivation were nuanced and did not substantially change in 2020. CONCLUSIONS The socially patterned reduction of hospital utilisation may lead to a potential exacerbation of health inequalities among groups who were already vulnerable before the pandemic. The healthcare service can contribute to contrast health disparities worsened by COVID-19 through more efficient communication and locally appropriate interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Di Girolamo
- Regional Health and Social Care Agency Emilia-Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Gnavi
- Epidemiology Unit, ASL TO3 Piedmont Region, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Forni
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany Region, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Calandrini
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service Lazio, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cesaroni
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service Lazio, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Epidemiology Unit, Agenzia di Tutela della Salute della Citta Metropolitan di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Allotta
- Department of Health and Epidemiological Observatory, Regional Health Authority of Sicily Region, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costa
- Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Teresa Spadea
- Epidemiology Unit, ASL TO3 Piedmont Region, Turin, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Patzina A, Dietrich H. The social gradient in COVID-19 vaccination intentions and the role of solidarity beliefs among adolescents. SSM Popul Health 2022; 17:101054. [PMID: 35229013 PMCID: PMC8865935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccines against COVID-19 play a prominent role in the policies enacted to combat the pandemic. However, vaccination rates are lowest among adolescents and young adults. Therefore, research on younger individuals is needed to provide a deeper understanding of social disparities and the motives behind vaccination intentions. METHODS This study draws on a sample (N = 4079) of German high school students and graduates. Based on cross-sectional data from March to July 2021 and linear regression models, which are conditioned on personality, risk preferences, and trust, the study analyses social disparities (i.e., gender, parental education and migration background) in vaccination intentions. RESULTS We do not find heterogeneity by gender. Individuals with low-educated parents and a migration background indicate below-average levels of vaccination intention. Differences in solidarity beliefs entirely explain the heterogeneity between individuals with low-educated parents and those with high-educated parents. While differences in beliefs explain a substantial part of the heterogeneity in vaccination intentions, cultural and monetary resources also constitute an important source of difference in vaccination intentions between individuals with and without a migration background. These results are important because our data indicate higher infection risks among individuals with a migration and low education background. Additionally, individuals from lower social origins and with migration backgrounds report higher levels of perceived burdens associated with COVID-19-related policies. The migration results differ between first- and second-generation migrants and by region of origin. CONCLUSION Polarization in solidarity explains social gradients in vaccination intention. A solidarity narrative may not motivate a significant share of young individuals to be vaccinated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hans Dietrich
- Institute for Employment Research, Germany (IAB), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sund M, Fonseca-Rodríguez O, Josefsson A, Welen K, Fors Connolly AM. Association between pharmaceutical modulation of oestrogen in postmenopausal women in Sweden and death due to COVID-19: a cohort study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053032. [PMID: 35165090 PMCID: PMC8844968 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine whether augmentation of oestrogen in postmenopausal women decreases the risk of death following COVID-19. DESIGN Nationwide registry-based study in Sweden based on registries from the Swedish Public Health Agency (all individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2); Statistics Sweden (socioeconomical variables) and the National Board of Health and Welfare (causes of death). PARTICIPANTS Postmenopausal women between 50 and 80 years of age with verified COVID-19. INTERVENTIONS Pharmaceutical modulation of oestrogen as defined by (1) women with previously diagnosed breast cancer and receiving endocrine therapy (decreased systemic oestrogen levels); (2) women receiving hormone replacement therapy (increased systemic oestrogen levels) and (3) a control group not fulfilling requirements for group 1 or 2 (postmenopausal oestrogen levels). Adjustments were made for potential confounders such as age, annual disposable income (richest group as the reference category), highest level of education (primary, secondary and tertiary (reference)) and the weighted Charlson Comorbidity Index (wCCI). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE Death following COVID-19. RESULTS From a nationwide cohort consisting of 49 853 women diagnosed with COVID-19 between 4 February and 14 September 2020 in Sweden, 16 693 were between 50 and 80 years of age. We included 14 685 women in the study with 11 923 (81%) in the control group, 227 (2%) women in group 1 and 2535 (17%) women in group 2. The unadjusted ORs for death following COVID-19 were 2.35 (95% CI 1.51 to 3.65) for group 1 and 0.45 (0.34 to 0.6) for group 2. Only the adjusted OR for death remained significant for group 2 with OR 0.47 (0.34 to 0.63). Absolute risk of death was 4.6% for the control group vs 10.1% and 2.1%, for the decreased and increased oestrogen groups, respectively. The risk of death due to COVID-19 was significantly associated with: age, OR 1.15 (1.14 to 1.17); annual income, poorest 2.79 (1.96 to 3.97), poor 2.43 (91.71 to 3.46) and middle 1.64 (1.11 to 2.41); and education (primary 1.4 (1.07 to 1.81)) and wCCI 1.13 (1.1 to 1.16). CONCLUSIONS Oestrogen supplementation in postmenopausal women is associated with a decreased risk of dying from COVID-19 in this nationwide cohort study. These findings are limited by the retrospective and non-randomised design. Further randomised intervention trials are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malin Sund
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå University Faculty of Medicine, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Surgery, Univerisity of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Andreas Josefsson
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå University Faculty of Medicine, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Urology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Karin Welen
- Department of Urology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Collischon M, Patzina A. COVID-19 and Gender Differences in Social Trust: Causal Evidence from the First Wave of the Pandemic. SOCIUS: SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH FOR A DYNAMIC WORLD 2022; 8:23780231221117910. [PMID: 35991907 PMCID: PMC9378828 DOI: 10.1177/23780231221117910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although research provides causal evidence on the effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on trust, causal effects of infection risks are missing. To contribute to increasing research on the societal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, we estimate whether high incidence rates net of lockdown measures induce causal changes in social trust. We use representative household panel data from Germany and employ a difference-in-difference design. Although social trust increased during the first phase of the pandemic, the difference-in-difference analysis reveals that high incidences have a negative effect on social trust. We show that females drive this effect. The negative effect is especially large among highly educated women and women with poor pre-COVID-19 health. Overall, our results suggest that increasing incidences signal noncompliance of unknown others. Consequently, the overall positive trend might reverse in the medium and long run, leading to declines in social cohesion over the course of the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Patzina
- Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany
- University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|