Health insurance coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of Medicaid expansion.

Using data from the US Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey, we analyzed the likelihood of loss of health insurance and enrollment into new health coverage during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loss of employment was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of loss of health insurance and, specifically, an increase in the likelihood of employer-sponsored health insurance. However, individuals in Medicaid expansion states experienced a lower likelihood of loss of health insurance compared with individuals in nonexpansion states. At the same time, there was a statistically significant increase in Medicaid enrollment in expansion states, by 3.2 percentage points. Reemployment or acquiring employment was associated with a gain in health insurance coverage. During an economic downturn, eligibility, and coverage gaps leave many without affordable coverage options, and the pandemic will likely bring renewed attention to gaps in Medicaid coverage in nonexpansion states.

COVID-19 and related social distancing measures induce significant metabolic complications without prominent weight gain in Korean adults.

Background: This study using multi-center health examination data from Korean adults was conducted to confirm changes in weight, and their related cardiometabolic parameters, before and after strengthening of social distancing regulations. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health check-up data from 13 university hospitals. The study period was from January 2018 to July 2020. To examine the effect of systematic social distancing measures, participants who underwent a health check-up (Visit 3) between July 2020 and July 2021 (during full scale social distancing), and had undergone two previous health check-ups (Visits 1 and 2) between January 2018 and June 2020 (before social distancing), were selected. In total, data from 7,875 participants were analyzed. Linear mixed-effect models were used to calculate estimates of anthropometric indices and metabolic markers measured on Visits 2 and 3, compared with measurements from Visit 1. Results: There were no significant differences in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body composition on Visit 3 than on Visits 1 and 2. However, the odds of metabolic syndrome and its components, including hypertension, high glucose, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and dyslipidemia were significantly higher on Visit 3 than on Visits 1 and 2. The increase in metabolic complications was marked, particularly in relatively young adults who visited health check-up centers located in the capital area. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome and its components were significantly worse after high level social distancing, although there were no significant increases in anthropometric indices and body fat levels. Healthcare providers need to prevent and manage worsening of metabolic parameters in subpopulations prone to be more sedentary and eat unhealthy food during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing measures.

COVID-19 and related social distancing measures induce significant metabolic complications without prominent weight gain in Korean adults

Background This study using multi-center health examination data from Korean adults was conducted to confirm changes in weight, and their related cardiometabolic parameters, before and after strengthening of social distancing regulations. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health check-up data from 13 university hospitals. The study period was from January 2018 to July 2020. To examine the effect of systematic social distancing measures, participants who underwent a health check-up (Visit 3) between July 2020 and July 2021 (during full scale social distancing), and had undergone two previous health check-ups (Visits 1 and 2) between January 2018 and June 2020 (before social distancing), were selected. In total, data from 7,875 participants were analyzed. Linear mixed-effect models were used to calculate estimates of anthropometric indices and metabolic markers measured on Visits 2 and 3, compared with measurements from Visit 1. Results There were no significant differences in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body composition on Visit 3 than on Visits 1 and 2. However, the odds of metabolic syndrome and its components, including hypertension, high glucose, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and dyslipidemia were significantly higher on Visit 3 than on Visits 1 and 2. The increase in metabolic complications was marked, particularly in relatively young adults who visited health check-up centers located in the capital area. Conclusion Metabolic syndrome and its components were significantly worse after high level social distancing, although there were no significant increases in anthropometric indices and body fat levels. Healthcare providers need to prevent and manage worsening of metabolic parameters in subpopulations prone to be more sedentary and eat unhealthy food during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing measures.

Pushing or clicking the grocery cart? Health and economic concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online Grocery Shopping (OGS) has grown dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unknown, however, how consumers weighed pandemic situational factors versus household production considerations of timesaving and cost. We collect and analyze survey data from a nationally representative sample to examine how consumers with different health and socio-demographic profiles consider these factors for OGS choices and how their choices changed in the first seven months of the pandemic. We find that consumers with moderate-to-high income, white, having insurance, and not in the labor force value the timesaving and convenience of OGS more than pandemic situational factors. Still, some consumers with health risks choose to shop in person because of the cost of OGS. Lung disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, age, income, and college degree explain the dynamics of OGS choice as the pandemic evolved. Our findings shed light on the development of technology-assisted adaptation to future public health emergencies.

Fatty Liver Change in Korean Adults in a Systematic Social Distancing System Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Analysis.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean government implemented policies including the systematic social distancing (SSD) system which started on 28 June 2020. The present study investigated the development and aggravation of fatty liver measured using ultrasonography during the transition period (from pre-SSD to SSD) compared to the fatty liver changes during the pre-SSD period. Changes in fatty liver and liver enzymes were assessed in different groups stratified by alcohol consumption. Our retrospective cohort analysis included 5668 participants who underwent health checkups at 13 university hospitals during the SSD period and two or more checkups before the SSD period. Fatty liver developed and aggravated more in the transition period (13.6% development and 12.0% aggravation) than in the pre-SSD period (10.8% development and 10.1% aggravation) in the alcohol consumption group. This finding was more prominent in women than in men. Abnormal alanine transaminase levels were more often developed in the transition period than in the pre-SSD period, especially in men (11.1% vs. 8.6% in each period). In conclusion, the SSD system may contribute to fatty liver changes in individuals who regularly consume alcohol. Further research of the post-pandemic period is needed to assess long-term changes in fatty liver disease.

Adapting to the Changing Needs of Family and Consumer Sciences Students: Instructor Perspectives during the Pandemic

In March 2020, the pandemic brought significant changes to higher education modalities. This paper examines how family and consumer sciences (FCS) instructors in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary department at a large 4-year university modified instruction and related activities as a response to the pandemic. Using the Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge as a framework, we illustrate approaches to meet students' basic needs and support their individual well-being during the crisis, and we provide a detailed description of changes in instructional strategies across different disciplines within the department. We highlight the lessons learned by instructors during the transition to fully online instruction and provide suggestions for other FCS programs moving forward.