The integrated GOR-COVID-19 health monitor: protocol for a comprehensive approach : Anouk van Duinkerken

Introduction The global COVID-19-pandemic influences people's health, both directly through infection and indirectly through the protective measures taken by governments. Previous experience with health research after disasters/crises are generally limited to short-lasting, local disasters with direct consequences for those affected. The COVID-19-pandemic has a different nature: influencing everyone and lasting a longer time. A longitudinal, wide-reaching research-approach is needed to study the health effects of COVID-19. Therefore, the Network GOR-COVID-19, a research group consisting of different organizations, started a monitor on the health effects of COVID-19. Methods The monitor consists of three main elements: yearly monitoring, quarterly monitoring and literature reviews. Where possible, existing data structures are used. For the quarterly monitoring, two data sources are used: general practitioners’ [GP] registry data and data gathered from panels. The GP data is used for weekly surveillance, giving insight into the prevalence of health symptoms presented to the GP. The panel data is used to gain insight into current self-reported health and wellbeing of people. For the yearly monitoring, two data sources are used. The first is GP data which gives information about the prevalence, incidence and development of symptoms, complaints and diagnoses. It allows for comparison over time and among different population groups. The second is the corona health monitor questionnaire, an existing questionnaire on health and well-being. Finally, literature reviews are conducted annually to create an overview of international and national research about the effects of the COVID-19-pandemic on health. Discussion Since most of our knowledge about the potential impact of the pandemic stems from research on short-term disasters, limited to specific places, this study is expected to provide valuable new insights.

The integrated GOR-COVID-19 health monitor: quarterly reporting (“short-cycle monitoring”) : Mare Derks

Introduction/objective Given the capricious nature of COVID-19, infections and accompanying restrictive measures to reduce spread of the virus are known to strongly vary over time. The impact of the corona crisis on the mental and physical health of the general population may fluctuate accordingly. The quarterly monitoring research line is aimed to monitor the health impact of the corona crisis over time on a high frequency basis. Methods This is achieved through a multi-method approach, combining: a) survey data on perceived impact of corona measures and several health outcomes from two representative panels (∼ 5.000 adolescents/young adults aged 12 and 25 years;∼ 5.000 adults aged 26+ years), and b) surveillance data of acute health problems from the Nivel Primary Care Database (∼1,6 million patients from 380 general practitioners). Data collection started in September 2021 and continues during the five-year monitoring program. Panel data is collected every quarter;Nivel surveillance data is collected weekly. Our contribution to the EUPHA conference will include data up and until September 2022 (i.e. five rounds of survey and surveillance data). Results Preliminary results from September 2021 through March 2022 indicate that adolescents/young adults reported worse mental and physical health outcomes compared to adults. Moreover, they experienced a more negative impact of corona measures. Accordingly, their mental health related problems, including suicide ideation, spiked between December 2021 and February 2022, a period characterized by highly restrictive COVID-19-measures. Discussion The quarterly monitoring research line showcase the relevance and feasibility of integrating multiple data sources in understanding the short- and long-term effect of the corona crisis. The results increase our understanding in the potential adverse effects of corona-related restrictive measures on population health, potentially aiding policy making and health promotion.

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of the youth: a systematic review : Mark Bosmans

Introduction The coronavirus outbreak and resulting restrictive measures have a major impact on population health. Research results suggest that the impact on the youth is especially great. In this review of international literature we investigated the impact of the COVID pandemic on the health and wellbeing of the youth, with a special emphasis on identifying vulnerable groups. Methods This review looked at the impact on five domains;physical health, (health)care needs, mental health, social effects and other effects. We also identified protective and risk factors. We searched the databases of Pubmed, PsychInfo and Embase for longitudinal empirical studies in May 2021. Results For all topics together, 145 papers were included. Results show that the corona crisis had a negative impact on the physical and mental health of the youth. Many young people exercised less, ate less healthy and suffered more from depression, anxiety and loneliness. Young people who already had mental or physical health problems were more vulnerable and experienced more negative results of the corona crisis. The crisis worsened existing problems. Other factors that exacerbate problems are poverty and poor family functioning. The impact is the largest for youths with multiple problems. At the same time, young people seem resilient. Many had no or few health problems during the studied period (roughly the first year of the pandemic), or their health problems decreased when restrictions were lifted. Discussion More attention is needed for preventive interventions that prevent health problems, promote health and that support the youth to maintain and build their resilience. Special attention should be paid to vulnerable groups when targeting these interventions.

The integrated GOR-COVID-19 health monitor: annual reporting (“long-cycle monitoring”) : Christos Baliatsas

Introduction Because of foreseeable COVID-19- related mental and physical health risks for the general population, a longitudinal health monitor was launched in the Netherlands. The monitoring program includes multiple methods. The current contribution places an emphasis on the so-called “long-cycle” monitoring activities at the national and regional level. The aim is to produce (bi-)annual reports on developments in health status of the general population and several potentially vulnerable subgroups (e.g. psychological and somatic comorbidities, lower socio-economic status). Methods Primary care registrations and questionnaire data were used. Both depend on existing methods of data collection, cover a broad spectrum of health aspects and offer the possibility of pre-COVID-19-comparison. Primary care data were obtained from electronic health records of general practices in the Nivel Primary Care Database. Large-scale survey research with questionnaires was conducted in all the 25 health regions of the Netherlands among 2nd and 4th graders in high schools, adults, elderly and young adults (16-25 years old). Where possible, data were combined with data on socio-economic status and additional health aspects from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Results The first results from both data sources show that the COVID-19 pandemic undeniably had an effect on the mental health of youth. Compared to 2019, there was a general decrease in overall health and happiness in 2020 and a perceivable increase in social problems as well as health symptoms such as lack of smell and taste. Furthermore, a smaller groups of people experienced more psychological symptoms, serious problems like suicidal thoughts and PTSD symptomatology. Discussion Adverse effects of the pandemic on youth are already visible in the first year after the outbreak. It is crucial to closely monitor the course of this health impact in the years to come, based on the combination of large, representative databases.