Psychosocial aspects of pandemics: An historical perspective

It is largely recognized that the Covid-19 pandemic has a global impact on public mental health and on the psychosocial balance. The authors analyze critically a number of psychosocial factors (behaviors, beliefs, theories, social adjustment, etc.) related to pandemics, throughout history. They describe how social reactions to pandemics can be similar, over time and across cultures, and how strategies of social adjustment are based on the socio-cultural contexts. The authors argue that a historical analysis of pandemics and of their psychosocial factors could indicate political strategies and social interventions, and help promote social adjustment to the present-day global health and economic emergencies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Italian) E stato ampiamente riconosciuto che la pandemia di Covid-19 sta avendo un impatto sulla salute mentale pubblica e sull'equilibrio psicosociale a livello globale. Questo articolo fornisce un'analisi critica dei fattori psicosociali (ad esempio comportamenti, credenze, teorie, adattamento sociale, ecc.) legati alle pandemie nel corso della storia. Verra inoltre evidenziato come le reazioni sociali alle pandemie possano essere simili nel corso dei secoli e tra culture diverse e strategie di adattamento sociale possano basarsi sul contesto socio-culturale. Riteniamo che un'analisi storica dei fattori psicosociali legati alle pandemie nel corso dei secoli possa suggerire strategie politiche e interventi sociali per promuovere l'adeguamento sociale all'attuale emergenza sanitaria ed economica globale. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

The neurological sequelae of pandemics and epidemics.

Neurological manifestations in pandemics frequently cause short and long-term consequences which are frequently overlooked. Despite advances in the treatment of infectious diseases, nervous system involvement remains a challenge, with limited treatments often available. The under-recognition of neurological manifestations may lead to an increase in the burden of acute disease as well as secondary complications with long-term consequences. Nervous system infection or dysfunction during pandemics is common and its enduring consequences, especially among vulnerable populations, are frequently forgotten. An improved understanding the possible mechanisms of neurological damage during epidemics, and increased recognition of the possible manifestations is fundamental to bring insights when dealing with future outbreaks. To reverse this gap in knowledge, we reviewed all the pandemics, large and important epidemics of human history in which neurological manifestations are evident, and described the possible physiological processes that leads to the adverse sequelae caused or triggered by those pathogens.