Social determinants of health and health inequalities in context of COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected disadvantaged populations, exposing existing inequalities in the society and widening health inequalities. Health inequalities are those preventable differences in health status between groups that arise from the unequal opportunities and unequal distribution of resources related to health, which determine the risk of people getting ill, ability to prevent illness or opportunities to access medical care. Material and Methods: Literature search was done through relevant science databases. Available studies regarding health inequalities in context of COVID-19 pandemic were examined and presented in this review. Results and Conclusions: The higher risks of COVID-19 infection and mortality has been noticed for specific groups that are disproportionally affected by pandemic due to inequalities in the social determinants of health, such as living and working conditions, access to healthy food, opportunities for maintaining hygiene and access to healthcare. To understand why lower socioeconomic groups and minorities are more susceptible to infection, broader context of the pandemic has to be observed. Although the existence of virus is a key factor, differences in infection, prevalence, severity and mortality rates seem to be a result of a synergistic effect of the virus itself, social determinants of health and inequalities in pre-existing chronic diseases. The important task for the future is to create more equal and healthier living and working conditions, improving the health of the most vulnerable groups and reducing inequalities in the population.

Demographic Characteristics Of Workers Vaccinated During Workplace Covid-19 Vaccination Program In Croatia

INTRODUCTION: Vaccine hesitancy is one of the main causes of poor vaccine coverage during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which imposes significant occupational and public health threat. Vaccine acceptance is highly influenced by perception of vaccine efficacy and safety where gender and age-based differences seem to play a role. In order to assess possible gender and age-related differences in responsiveness to occupational COVID-19 vaccination, present study was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of vaccines administered by Mobile Occupational Vaccination Team during April 14, 2021 – July 12, 2021, were examined in order to describe demographic characteristics of fully vaccinated workers in major Croatian companies. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: During 3-month period 12360 workers were fully vaccinated among which 55.5% men (4.9% at age 15-24y, 69.2% at age 25-49y and 28.9% at age 50-65y) and 44.5% women (3.9% at age 15-24y, 68.2% at age 25-49y and 27.9% at age 50-65y). When compared with current Croatian labor force participation rates for men (53.6%) and women (46.4%) in regards to age stratification, we found larger proportion of men receiving full immunization with the vast majority of them being between 24 and 65 years old. Acknowledging and understanding gender and age-based differences in perception of vaccine safety and efficacy may be beneficial in constructing effective vaccination campaigns targeted towards vulnerable occupational groups potentially resulting in greater vaccine acceptance and optimal workplace vaccine coverage.

Occupational Medicine in Pandemic Management

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is considered to be the most effective measure in pandemic management and response. In order to be effective, administration of safe vaccine by well-trained health professionals is a priority. During COVID-19 pandemic, a Mobile Occupational Vaccination Team of 8 medical doctors and 4 administrative personnel working in Croatian Institute of Public Health, Division for Occupational Health, organized workplace vaccinations for workers in major Croatian companies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of vaccines administered by Mobile Occupational Vaccination Team during May 17, 2021 – June 16, 2021, were examined and compared with a total number of vaccines administered in overall Croatian population in the same period. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: During 1-month period a total of 825 070 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in Croatia, while Mobile Occupational Vaccination Team administered 12 049 doses or 1,46 % of all COVID-19 vaccines in the country. A daily average of vaccine doses administered by the Team was 402, or 548 if only working days were included. Having in mind that the Team consisted of only 8 doctors who administered vaccines to the working population, it is clear that doctors in the field of Occupational Medicine, with a will to take action, can be highly effective and have a crucial role in pandemic management and response, which should be considered in future pandemic preparedness planning.