ABSTRACT
This reprinted chapter originally appeared in Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 2020, 63[6-7], 646-650. (The following of the original article appeared in record 2021-00510-019.) The pandemic has further exposed the lack of experience and resources for NHs to respond to Public Health Emergencies (PHE). In fact, during other outbreaks of infectious disease including SARS in 2003, H1N1 influenza virus in 2009, H7N9 bird flu in 2013, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2015, Ebola in 2018, and COVID-19 in 2020, densely populated settlements of older individuals at not only NHs but also long-term care institutions such as skilled nursing and assisted living institutions, have always been the most vulnerable. At this stage, it is time for us to seriously reflect on how to ensure that NHs can respond to and survive disasters, stress, or changes of the environment, that is, how to enhance our resilience to future health threats. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the comorbidities among severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients in Asian versus non-Asian populations. DESIGN: Systemic review and Meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the web of science Database up to 24 March 2021. Odds ratios were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: We identified 66 studies including 39 Asian and 27 non-Asian studies. This study demonstrated that the proportion of hypertension was significantly higher in severe group than in non-severe group for Asian (OR = 2.46) and non-Asian (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.37-1.86, I2 = 84%; p < .00001) patients. Similarly, the proportion of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease was significantly higher in severe group than in non-severe group for both Asian and non-Asian studies. We found no statistically significant difference between the severe versus non-severe group for cancer (OR = 1.26) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR = 1.32) among non-Asian patients.