A scoping review of the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on vulnerable population groups

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.

Caring for People with Rare Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Challenges of, and Strategies for Dealing with, COVID-19

“…This review showed that lockdowns and social distancing resulted in people with RDs and their FRCs experiencing greater struggle. This result aligns with an extremely in-depth review of the impact of social distancing on vulnerable populations [21], but it further highlights how resourceful people with RDs can be in coping with challenging situations. These resources should always be considered by the psychological community when treating RD patients so as not to miss opportunities arising from their difficult experiences.…”

“…Loneliness seemed to be particularly dangerous for people with specific RDs, such as hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, potentially triggering aggression and alcohol and drug abuse. Research has demonstrated the importance of programmes to protect vulnerable people, such as RD patients and the people around them, but the effectiveness of such programmes and their consequences must be evaluated on the medical, ethical, and psychosocial levels [21].…”

“…Researchers have made efforts to study and understand the post-COVID-19 period from various perspectives [1,21]. This paper complements the extant research by specifically focusing on SRs and psychology to provide readers with an overview of the challenges, solutions, coping strategies, and peculiarities of the vulnerable but resourceful population with RDs and the people around them.…”

Retrospective analysis of Covid-19 hospitalization modelling scenarios which guided policy response in France

“…While intended to slow virus spread, the policies influenced by these models can also have harmful consequences such as global hunger FAO et al [2023], routine child immunization disruption Chakrabarti et al [2023], WHO and UNICEF [2020] and mental health issues Léon et al [2023], disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable groups Li et al [2023] and the young UNICEF [2021]. It is therefore essential that models correctly anticipate epidemic spread and accurately assess non pharmaceutical interventions effectiveness in order not to bias the political trade-offs: overestimating epidemic spread is not devoid of harms.…”

The pandemic and Africa: a review of the psychological, social, and nutritional impact of COVID-19 in Africa

“…37 From physical distancing and the suspension of social gatherings have led to various social consequences across the world. 38 Travel restrictions also affected social relations as individuals became isolated from their peers. Social anxiety, panic, economic recession, and severe psychological stress are an undeniable reality of the pandemic era and has also played a toll in the post-COVID era with progress to transition back to normalcy.…”