This is what the RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment says in a special edition of the Public Health Future Outlook
The effects of the corona crisis are hitting more vulnerable populations, such as less educated people, young people, the elderly and people with underlying health problems. It is not only about the direct consequences, but also about the indirect, future consequences.
The direct consequences of the new corona virus are enormous, also in the Netherlands. Death from COVID-19 will probably be in the top 3 causes of death in 2020. The disease burden is five times higher than with normal flu. Without the corona measures taken, the COVID-19 disease burden would have been even higher. The second wave of COVID-19 has also not yet been included. In addition, the long-term effects for ex-patients are still unknown. In addition, the indirect effects of COVID-19 are major: regular care has (temporarily) been less accessible, lifestyle is changing and corona measures impede social life.
This is what the RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment says in a special edition of the Public Health Future Outlook. It describes how the corona pandemic will change health in the Netherlands over time.
People live less healthily
The research shows that more people in the corona crisis have started to live unhealthier lives. Smokers smoke more and the number of overweight people is rising. In addition, RIVM sees that the burden of disease is increasing because, for example, (plannable) specialist care is being postponed. Mental health is also under pressure from the corona crisis. A third of people feel more depressed, and a third feel more stressed and anxious than before the crisis.
Less educated people more affected
The RIVM concludes that the corona crisis strikes much harder among less educated people. They are more likely to have chronic diseases and therefore have a higher chance of a more serious disease course. In addition, they have fewer opportunities to work from home, and their job is more often insecure. This also has a major impact on the mental health of this group. Mental health is also under pressure in other groups such as young people and the elderly. The pandemic is also exacerbating the contradictions between generations. Young people feel limited in their freedom by the corona measures, which are mainly intended to protect the elderly.
Future tasks for public health are even more urgent
The continuing high burden of disease due to cardiovascular disease and cancer; the growing group of elderly people who live independently, but are struggling with dementia and other complex problems; the increasing mental pressure on young people and young adults; before the corona pandemic, these were the major challenges for Dutch public health. These tasks have now become even more urgent, according to the RIVM. Certainly because the corona virus or other viruses are expected to remain a health risk, even if there is a vaccine.
Broader consideration of measures necessary
Understandably, in the early stages of the corona pandemic, much attention was paid to COVID-19 patients and the care they needed. The economic consequences of the measures also quickly received attention. In the first phase, however, much less attention was paid to other important aspects such as perceived health, loneliness, being able to take control, quality of life and sense of purpose. It is important to also consider these perspectives on health in future measures.
Also positive consequences COVID-19
The RIVM also outlines positive consequences of the corona pandemic. For example, the application of digital techniques has grown enormously. Remote care is much more used, the digital emancipation of the elderly has increased significantly and working from home also entails more self-management and family time. Furthermore, there is a stronger connection in the neighborhood and more intensive cooperation between different care parties.
Better prepared for the future
The results of this foresight study paint a picture of a society that has been hit hard at all levels by the outbreak of the corona pandemic. Better preparation for the future requires:
- More focus on integrated prevention has become even more important due to the corona crisis. Integrated prevention focuses not only on (individual) lifestyle factors, but also on the physical living environment and on social problems, such as debt and stress.
- Taking chronic diseases and infectious diseases into account. A future in which infectious diseases can also influence our health again requires new, integrated knowledge, new care concepts between formal and informal care and more cooperation between (care) parties.
- More insight into mental health; better information and knowledge about the mental health of different population groups affected by the corona crisis is needed for appropriate policy. Just like offering a future perspective to the people concerned.
- More intensive cross-domain cooperation between ministries to improve health. Many starting points for this lie outside the health domain, such as work and labor, education, the physical living environment and social security.
Looking beyond corona
This foresight study ‘Looking beyond corona, about the future of our health’ has been published in full online. Be a comprehensive introduction and explanation here to watch.
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