COVID-19 and Slums: A Pandemic Highlights Gaps in Knowledge About Urban Poverty

Abstract

According to the United Nations, about 1 billion persons live in so-called slums. Numerous studies have shown that this population is particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, emphatically underlines this problem. The often high-density living quarters coupled with a large number of persons per dwelling and the lack of adequate sanitation are reasons why measures to contain the pandemic only work to a limited extent in slums. Furthermore, assignment to risk groups for severe courses of COVID-19 caused by noncommunicable diseases (eg, cardiovascular diseases) is not possible due to inadequate data availability. Information on people living in slums and their health status is either unavailable or only exists for specific regions (eg, Nairobi). We argue that one of the greatest problems with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of slums in the Global South is the lack of data on the number of people, their living conditions, and their health status.

Habitat vulnerability in slum areas of India – What we learnt from COVID-19?

“…The availability as well as accessibility of the households to the basic services and amenities largely affects the transmission [ [27] , [28] , [29] ]. Recently the outbreak covid-19 has become significant global threats [ [15] , [16] , [17] ].…”

“…Recently in a number of studies, it was well recognized that the urban slums are more vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission due to high population density, poor living conditions and limited access to basic services [ 6 , [15] , [16] , [17] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] ]. More than 70% of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded from the states falling under the category of very high and high vulnerability zones.…”

“…Therefore, special focus needs to be given to slum areas to fight any health problems (like COVID-19). In slum areas, there is limited access to the basic infrastructural facilities (such as good conditions of house, drinking water facility within premises, and availability of toilets) [ 27 , 28 ]. Infections in a member of households increase the possibility of infecting other members in slum areas.…”

“…Recently UN-Habitat [ 1 ]; published a report stating that the cities of global (add something) are the most vulnerable due to rapid urbanization as well as large concentrations of slum population. Recently, it was well documented that the areas (like slums) with high population are more vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission [ 6 , [15] , [16] , [17] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] ]. Even after a quick review of the previous works of literature, few research gaps were identified that inspired us to conduct this study over slum vulnerability in India.…”

Sociodemographic and environmental health risk factor of COVID-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia: An ecological study

“…In times of communicable disease pandemics such as COVID-19, distance restrictions should be applied on a large scale worldwide. However, this was unlikely in slums due to the high density of buildings in the area [ 17 ].…”