Mitigating the Impacts of COVID-19 on Global Child Health: a Call to Action

Abstract

Purpose of Review Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), continues to affect individuals, communities, and health systems worldwide. Here, we highlight how COVID-19 threatens to jeopardize the tremendous gains made over the last few decades on improving children’s health globally. Recent Findings In contrast to adults, children with COVID-19 are less likely to develop severe disease requiring hospitalization or die as a direct result of infection. However, the pandemic will likely have other important health impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable children globally. Possible effects include worsening of poverty and food insecurity; disruption of already strained routine child health services; damage to already imperiled healthcare workforces; a wave of mental health challenges; interruption of education; and increased risks of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. These challenges notwithstanding, the response to COVID-19 may also provide opportunities, such as for health system strengthening, that could improve child health after the pandemic. Summary The negative impacts of COVID-19 on global child health may be substantial. However, these are not foregone conclusions and much can be done to mitigate the worst outcomes. Child health providers should advocate for an equitable response to COVID-19 that prioritizes the health of vulnerable children and furthers the gains made in global child health.

Analysis of Indicators of Morbidity and Care Activities in a Health Center Within the Sanitary Cordon in Benin in the Context of COVID-19

“…Noncompliance with the stroke schedule increases the risk of maternal-infant death as well as all other morbidity related to the pregnancy condition (abortion, prematurity, home delivery with its risks such as postpartum hemorrhage, etc. ); maintaining stroke services becomes a public health emergency during the pandemic [15,[17][18][19].…”

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutritional Status, Feeding Practices, and Access to Food Among Infants and Children in Lower and Middle-Income Countries: a Narrative Review

“…School for children has an essential role in helping socioemotional development, friendship and social support networks, protection from risk-taking behaviors, delays in early marriage and childbearing, and early detection of child abuse [ 88 ]. Interruption of education also leads to increased risk of domestic violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and neglect; loss of social protection results in increased rates of teenage pregnancy [ 4 , 89 •].…”

“…Child health providers should advocate for an equitable response to COVID-19 that prioritizes the health of vulnerable children and furthers the gains made in global child health in the last few decades [ 89 •]. Specific priority actions are listed in Table 1 .…”

Global health electives in the COVID-19 era: resuming travel and strengthening global health academic partnerships

“…While the final toll of the pandemic has yet to be determined, the indirect effects on preventable diseases, malnutrition, chronic care access, mental health, and adverse economic impacts will have reverberating and longstanding impacts on GH. 19 There are many compelling reasons for HIC-based academic programs to eventually resume site-based, in-person GH electives for trainees: (1) there is a high and sustained trainee demand for GH training; 9,12,13 (2) GH electives offer transformative experiences that encourage and empower trainees to address health inequities and disparities in their careers; [20][21][22][23] (3) the existence of institutional GH partnerships improves both trainee and faculty recruitment; 24 and (4) for institutions that value equity, global engagement is often a priority. Moreover, health professionals with training in GH may leverage their experiences to prepare for and respond to future pandemics and emerging diseases; to recognize and attend to inequities; and to safeguard and advocate for disadvantaged populations.…”