Leveraging epidemiological principles to evaluate Sweden’s COVID-19 response

Baral, Stefan; Chandler, Rebecca; Prieto, Ruth; Gupta, Sunetra; Mishra, Sharmistha; Kulldorff, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.11.005

Cited by 51 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The aim of the restrictions has been to reduce disease transmission by minimizing physical contact between people. These measures, however, have affected a much wider range of societal aspects than the disease spread, with consequences on the economy, social relations, health related behaviors as well as being disruptive for services and education [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. People that are already struggling because of low income, social isolation, or poor health are also likely to be the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of the pandemic-related societal actions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions

Lõhmus

Stenfors

Lind

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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International data suggest that exposure to nature is beneficial for mental health and well-being. The restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have created a setting that allows us to investigate the importance of greenness exposure on mental health during a period of increased isolation and worry. Based on 2060 responses from an online survey in Stockholm County, Sweden, we investigated: (1) whether the COVID-19 pandemic changed peoples’ lifestyle and nature-related habits, and (2) if peoples’ mental health differed depending on their exposure to greenness. Neighborhood greenness levels were quantified by using the average normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) within 50 m, 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m buffers surrounding the participant’s place of residence. We found that the number of individuals that reported that they visited natural areas “often” was significantly higher during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Higher levels of greenness surrounding one’s location of residence were in general associated with higher mental health/well-being and vitality scores, and less symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived and cognitive stress, after adjustments for demographic variables and walkability. In conclusion, the results from the present study provided support to the suggestion that contact with nature may be important for mental health in extreme circumstances.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions in Swedish society have been relatively mild compared to most European countries [ 3 ]. Still, during the spring of 2020, the population of Sweden was recommended to, as much as possible, work from home, limit their social contacts, and avoid the use of public transport.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions

Lõhmus

Stenfors

Lind

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, it should be kept in mind that the present study setting, Sweden, is one of the countries applying a less restrictive policy with respect to COVID-19 transmission; policy measures such as lockdown, stay-at-home orders, and closing of schools or work places have been absent or limited, in contrast to many others countries [ 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Apparent Increase in Treatment Uptake for Gambling Disorder during Ten Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic—Analysis of a Regional Specialized Treatment Unit in Sweden

Håkansson

Åkesson²,

Grudet

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society has been suspected to affect gambling behaviors. Potentially, the pandemic crisis may result in increased problem gambling, for example, due to COVID-19-related psychological distress, unemployment, and financial difficulties. In addition, the cancellation of sports in early parts of the crisis has been suspected to alter gambling behaviors. Policy makers have called for action and, in some cases, have changed regulations, and media have reported possible increases in treatment seeking. However, research data are hitherto lacking. The present study assessed the treatment uptake at a regional specialized gambling-disorder unit in the healthcare system of Region Skåne, Sweden. Number of patients, treatment contacts, and patterns of rescheduling or cancellations of appointments were quantified for each month, January–December 2020, and compared to corresponding months of 2018 and 2019. Possible trends were analyzed, using an interrupted time-series analysis. Results did not indicate an increase in treatment uptake for gambling disorder during the months of COVID-19 impact in Sweden. The proportion of digital treatment increased, but total treatment uptake was unaffected by the pandemic. In conclusion, during the first ten months of the pandemic in Sweden, no obvious increase in treatment uptake for gambling disorder could be seen. Moreover, longer follow-up may be necessary in order to see if effects of worsening socioeconomic conditions may be a possible long-term risk factor of increased gambling after COVID-19.

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“…The aim of the restrictions has been to reduce disease transmission by minimizing physical contact between people. These measures, however, have affected a much wider range of societal aspects than the disease spread, with consequences on economy, social relations, health related behaviours, as well as being disruptive for services and education (1)(2)(3). People that are already struggling because of low income, social isolation or poor health are also likely to be the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of the pandemic-related societal actions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Covid-19 pandemic-related restrictions in the Swedish society have been relatively mild compared to most European countries (3). Still, during the spring 2020, the population of Sweden were recommended to, as much as possible, work from home, limit their social contacts and avoid the use of public transport.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health, Greenness and Nature Related Behaviours in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during Covid-19-related Restrictions

Lõhmus¹,

Stenfors²,

Lind³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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International data suggests that exposure for nature is beneficial for mental health and well-being. The restrictions related to Covid-19 pandemic have created a setting that allows us to investigate the importance of greenness exposure on mental health during a period of increased isolation and worry. Based on 2060 responses from an online survey in the Stockholm County, Sweden, we investigated: 1) weather the Covid-19 pandemic changed peoples’ life-style and nature-related habits, and 2) if peoples’ mental health differed depending on their exposure to greenness. Neighbourhood greenness levels were quantified by using the average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 50m, 100m, 300m, and 500m buffers surrounding the participant’s place of residence. We found that the number of individuals that reported that they visited natural areas “often” was significantly higher during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Higher levels of greenness surrounding one’s location of residence were in general associated with higher mental health/wellbeing and vitality scores, and less symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived and cognitive stress, after adjustments for demographic variables and walkability. In conclusion, the results from the present study provided support to the suggestion that contact with nature may be important for mental health in extreme circumstances.

show abstract

Leveraging epidemiological principles to evaluate Sweden’s COVID-19 response

Cited by 51 publications

References 32 publications

Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions

Mental Health, Greenness, and Nature Related Behaviors in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during COVID-19-Related Restrictions

No Apparent Increase in Treatment Uptake for Gambling Disorder during Ten Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic—Analysis of a Regional Specialized Treatment Unit in Sweden

Mental Health, Greenness and Nature Related Behaviours in the Adult Population of Stockholm County during Covid-19-related Restrictions

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