Competing health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and early response: A scoping review
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2022
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has rapidly emerged as a global public health threat with infections recorded in nearly every country. Responses to COVID-19 have varied in intensity and breadth, but generally have included domestic and international travel limitations, closure of non-essential businesses, and repurposing of health services. While these interventions have focused on testing, treatment, and mitigation of COVID-19, there have been reports of interruptions to diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services for other public health threats. Objectives We conducted a scoping review to characterize the early impact of COVID-19 on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition. Methods A scoping literature review was completed using searches of PubMed and preprint servers (medRxiv/bioRxiv) from November 1(st), 2019 to October 31(st), 2020, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 and HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition. Empiric studies reporting original data collection or mathematical models were included, and available data synthesized by region. Studies were excluded if they were not written in English. Results A total of 1604 published papers and 205 preprints were retrieved in the search. Overall, 8.0% (129/1604) of published studies and 10.2% (21/205) of preprints met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review: 7.3% (68/931) on HIV, 7.1% (24/339) on tuberculosis, 11.6% (26/224) on malaria, 7.8% (19/183) on sexual and reproductive health, and 9.8% (13/132) on malnutrition. Thematic results were similar across competing health risks, with substantial indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and response on diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and malnutrition. Discussion COVID-19 emerged in the context of existing public health threats that result in millions of deaths every year. Thus, effectively responding to COVID-19 while minimizing the negative impacts of COVID-19 necessitates innovation and integration of existing programs that are often siloed across health systems. Inequities have been a consistent driver of existing health threats; COVID-19 has worsened disparities, reinforcing the need for programs that address structural risks. The data reviewed here suggest that effective strengthening of health systems should include investment and planning focused on ensuring the continuity of care for both rapidly emergent and existing public health threats.
Keywords
Potential Impact, United-States, Reproductive health, Tuberculosis, Disease, Services, Care, HIV, Prevention, Malaria
Divisions
medicinedept
Funders
United States Department of Health & Human Services,National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA F31MH128079,NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),F31MH124458,National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Johns Hopkins HIV Epidemiology and Prevention Sciences Training Program T32AI102623-08,National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA K01AI122853,NIH National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID),Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Mathematical Modeling,South African Medical Research Council,UK Research & Innovation (UKRI),Medical Research Council UK (MRC),South Africa Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
Publication Title
PLoS ONE
Volume
17
Issue
8
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Publisher Location
1160 BATTERY STREET, STE 100, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111 USA