Abstract
Purpose of
Review
In this review, we outline the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-communicable diseases around the world.
Recent Findings
The mechanisms of COVID-19’s impact on non-communicable diseases are both direct and indirect. The direct mechanisms include direct vascular and myocardial injury as well as pancreatic injury increasing incidence of new-onset diabetes. Indirect effects of the pandemic on non-communicable disease include delayed presentation for acute illness including STEMI and the impact of social distancing and quarantine policies on socialization, mental health, physical activity, and the downstream health impacts of inactivity and deconditioning.
Summary
International focus has been on disease variants, infection control and management, healthcare system, and resource utilization and infection incidence. However, the impact of this pandemic on non-communicable diseases has been largely overlooked but will manifest itself in the coming years to decades.
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