[Predisposition to severe forms of COVID-19 and adherence to preventive measures: the role of social support]. / Predisposição a formas graves de COVID-19 e adesão às medidas de prevenção: o papel do apoio social.

This study sought to assess the adherence to preventive measures among the elderly more prone to severe forms of COVID-19, and the association and interaction with social support. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 3,477 participants of the telephone survey of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-COVID-19 initiative), who reported going out of the home in the past week. The adherence was based on the frequency of leaving the house, the need to venture outside the home, use of masks, and sanitization of hands. Statistical analysis was based on the Poisson model with robust variance. Predisposing factors for severe forms of COVID-19 included age ≥65 years, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Social support included living arrangements and social distancing during the pandemic. Approximately 46% of the participants showed higher adherence, which was positively associated with the number of predisposing factors for severe forms of COVID-19. Social support was not associated with adherence, nor was this association modified after adjustments. The conclusion drawn is that higher adherence is concentrated among the elderly with greater predisposition to severe forms of COVID-19, irrespective of social support, albeit preventive measures should be adopted by all.

Objetivou-se verificar a adesão às medidas de prevenção em idosos com maior predisposição a formas graves de COVID-19 e sua associação e interação com o apoio social. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado em amostra de 3.477 participantes do inquérito telefônico do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19), que informaram ter saído de casa na semana anterior à realização do inquérito. A adesão foi aferida pela frequência com que saiu de casa, necessidade de sair de casa, uso de máscara e higienização das mãos. As análises basearam-se no modelo Poisson com variância robusta. Idade ≥ 65 anos, hipertensão, diabetes e obesidade foram considerados fatores predisponentes para formas graves de COVID-19. O apoio social incluiu o arranjo domiciliar e a conexão social na pandemia. Aproximadamente 46% apresentaram melhor adesão, que foi associada positivamente ao número de fatores predisponentes para formas graves. O apoio social não foi associado à adesão e não modificou essa associação, após ajustamentos. Conclui-se que a adesão às medidas de prevenção, que deveria ser estendida a todos, está concentrada nos idosos com maior predisposição a formas graves de COVID-19, independentemente do apoio social.

Reflecting on the Future of Law and Technology Education: Using Film and Television as a Tool to Teach the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Emerging Technologies

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated a long-standing problem in postsecondary education: the competition for student attention in a world full of more interesting distractions. This problem is magnified in the teaching of the ethical legal and social implications of new and emerging technologies ("ELSI") where the technologies are often complicated, the legal concerns esoteric and non-intuitive, the social issues non-obvious, and the ethical analysis constantly shifting. To teach students in a time where they are both physically and mentally distant from the educator, this Essay aims to provide a solution that appropriates the distractions and repurposes them into the educational process. More than just using media as a crutch for learning, we should place it at the center of the course and as the source from which all the other learning evolves. Black Mirror-the British anthology series that is just steps ahead of our current timeline with regard to emerging technologies-is a perfect lynchpin for such a course. Herein, this Essay describes the purpose of such a course, as well as additional aspects of the curriculum-including socially distanced interviews with stakeholders within the science-fiction film industry. My goal is to provide students with the necessary skills to not only examine emerging technology through the ELSI lens, but to inculcate them with the appreciation that everything, even simple television, can be a learning opportunity.

A decreased trajectory of loneliness among Brazilians aged 50 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic: ELSI-Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate prevalence of loneliness among older Brazilian adults over the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the predictors of loneliness trajectories. Pre-pandemic data derived from face-to-face interviews of participants of the 2019-2020 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which is a nationally representative study of community-dwelling individuals aged 50 years and over. Pandemic data were based on three rounds of telephone interviews among those participants, conducted from May to October 2020. Loneliness was measured by a single-item question, considering those who had at least two repeated measures. Explanatory variables included depression, living alone, leaving home in the last week, and virtual connectedness in the last month. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and to investigate loneliness trajectories and their predictors. In total, 5,108 participants were included. The overall prevalence of loneliness in the pre-pandemic period was 33.1% (95%CI: 29.4-36.8), higher than the pandemic period (round 1: 23.6%, 95%CI: 20.6-26.9; round 2: 20.5%, 95%CI: 17.8-23.5; round 3: 20.6%, 95%CI: 17.1-24.6). A significant interaction (p ≤ 0.05) was evidenced only between depression and time; participants with depression showed a greater reduction in loneliness levels. Although loneliness levels in Brazil have decreased during the pandemic, this pattern is not present for all older adults. Individuals with depression had a more significant reduction, probably due to feeling closer to their social network members during the stay-at-home recommendations.

Criminal Social Work To Overcome Overcapacity In Post-Pandemic Prisons

There are currently various problems with prisons, including the emergence of problems regarding Over Capacity in prisons. Especially in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic, where prisons in Indonesia are not comparable to limited capacity space. In the renewal of criminal law, in this case, the Draft Law on the Criminal Code (RUU-KUHP) has discussed various alternative crimes, one of which is the existence of social work crimes. Research on social work crimes to overcome overcapacity in Post Pandemic Prisons (Prisons) uses normative legal research methods. The legal material used is to use library studies (Library Research). The regulations regarding social work crimes have been implemented in several countries such as the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark. Social work crimes are also known as short-term deprivation of liberty and as an alternative attempt to carry out certain crimes with a short time. © 2023 M. Musa, Elsi Elvina and Evi Yanti.

Ethical, Legal, Organisational and Social Issues of Teleneurology: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Teleneurology (TN) allows neurology to be applied when the doctor and patient are not present in the same place, and sometimes not at the same time. In February 2021, the Spanish Ministry of Health requested a health technology assessment report on the implementation of TN as a complement to face-to-face neurological care. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to answer the question on the ethical, legal, social, organisational, patient (ELSI) and environmental impact of TN. The assessment of these aspects was carried out by adapting the EUnetHTA Core Model 3.0 framework, the criteria established by the Spanish Network of Health Technology Assessment Agencies and the analysis criteria of the European Validate (VALues In Doing Assessments of healthcare TEchnologies) project. Key stakeholders were invited to discuss their concerns about TN in an online meeting. Subsequently, the following electronic databases were consulted from 2016 to 10 June 2021: MEDLINE and EMBASE. RESULTS: 79 studies met the inclusion criteria. This scoping review includes 37 studies related to acceptability and equity, 15 studies developed during COVID and 1 study on environmental aspects. Overall, the reported results reaffirm the necessary complementarity of TN with the usual face-to-face care. CONCLUSIONS: This need for complementarity relates to factors such as acceptability, feasibility, risk of dehumanisation and aspects related to privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive data.

A Multidimensional And Multistakeholder Approach: Assessing Ethical, Legal, Organizational, Social or Patientcentered (ELSI+) for Telemedicine In Neurological Diseases

Introduction. Telemedicine strategies have been broadly introducing in health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in care of neurological diseases. Methods. A rapid realist review was conducted using EUnetHTAs Core Model 3.0 and GRADE evidence to decision frameworks were used as frameworks to describe the ethical, legal, organizational, social and patient aspects (ELSI+) related to the use of teleneurology (TN) A scoping multistakeholder meeting helped defined the scope and research questions of the assessment. Patient representatives, clinicians, scientific society representatives with relevant experience in TN were invited and participated. Industry representatives were also present. Systematic searches for ethical, legal, organizational, social and patients related aspects were conducted. Additional manual searches contributed to contextualize these dimensions in the Spanish context. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results. Main results of the assessment of the ELSI+ aspects of TN were described. TN applications are diverse depending on the condition, objective of care and technology used. The implementation of TN lacks specific legal frameworks which implies legal uncertainty. TN may increase geographical accessibility to neurological care in remote areas and by reducing difficult commuting to specialized care centers. Nevertheless, accessibility is challenged by reduced access to technology, the digital divide, lack of health literacy or technologies not adapted to functional diversity. Therefore, equity is not guaranteed if it is offered as a non-voluntary basis or with no support. TN tends to be accepted by patients and carers if it has enough quality, saves travelling time and costs and does not dehumanize care as it is perceived as more flexible and convenient. Quality of TN needs an interdisciplinary team with skills to coordinate organizational aspects of the implementation which include among others, the planification of the support to patients and carers before, during and after the consultation. Health professionals may also need to learn adapted communicational and technological skills. Conclusions. The implementation of TN poses many ethical, legal, organizational, social or patient-centered challenges.

A Multidimensional And Multistakeholder Approach: Assessing Ethical, Legal, Organizational, Social or Patient-centered (ELSI+) for Telemedicine In Neurological Diseases

IntroductionTelemedicine strategies have been broadly introducing in health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in care of neurological diseases.MethodsA rapid realist review was conducted using EUnetHTAs Core Model 3.0 and GRADE evidence to decision frameworks were used as frameworks to describe the ethical, legal, organizational, social and patient aspects (ELSI+) related to the use of teleneurology (TN) A scoping multistakeholder meeting helped defined the scope and research questions of the assessment. Patient representatives, clinicians, scientific society representatives with relevant experience in TN were invited and participated. Industry representatives were also present. Systematic searches for ethical, legal, organizational, social and patients related aspects were conducted. Additional manual searches contributed to contextualize these dimensions in the Spanish context. A narrative synthesis was undertaken.ResultsMain results of the assessment of the ELSI+ aspects of TN were described. TN applications are diverse depending on the condition, objective of care and technology used. The implementation of TN lacks specific legal frameworks which implies legal uncertainty. TN may increase geographical accessibility to neurological care in remote areas and by reducing difficult commuting to specialized care centers. Nevertheless, accessibility is challenged by reduced access to technology, the digital divide, lack of health literacy or technologies not adapted to functional diversity. Therefore, equity is not guaranteed if it is offered as a non-voluntary basis or with no support. TN tends to be accepted by patients and carers if it has enough quality, saves travelling time and costs and does not dehumanize care as it is perceived as more flexible and convenient. Quality of TN needs an interdisciplinary team with skills to coordinate organizational aspects of the implementation which include among others, the planification of the support to patients and carers before, during and after the consultation. Health professionals may also need to learn adapted communicational and technological skills.ConclusionsThe implementation of TN poses many ethical, legal, organizational, social or patient-centered challenges.

The impacts of COVID-19 and social distancing policies on social capital in Japan

We analyze changes in lifestyle, income, and social capital with COVID-19 and social distancing policy, based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Japan during 2020 from a perspective of Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI). The results of the survey show that (1) the personal impact of social distancing policy varies greatly depending on their socioeconomic situation;(2) lifestyle and income changes can have a significant impact on people’s immediate living standard and state of mind;and (3) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, social capital in the close social unit has been strengthened, but the pandemic has tended to reduce trust and solidarity in society as a whole. In order to lessen such impacts, it is important for national and local governments to provide more careful support and also to actively demonstrate accountability in policy implementation. In addition, we suggest that it is important to foster community trust on a daily basis and make the best possible use of public support.

AbGradCon 2021: lessons in digital meetings, international collaboration, and interdisciplinarity in astrobiology

The Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) is an annual conference both organized for and by early-career researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students as a way to train the next generation of astrobiologists and develop a robust network of cohorts moving forward. AbGradCon 2021 was held virtually on 14-17 September 2021, hosted by the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) of Tokyo Institute of Technology after postponement of the in-person event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting consisted of presentations by 120 participants from a variety of fields, two keynote speakers, and other career-building events and workshops. Here, we report on the organizational and executional aspects of AbGradCon 2021, including the meeting participant demographics, various digital aspects introduced specifically for a virtual edition of the meeting, and the submission and evaluation process. The evaluation process of AbGradCon 2021 is unique in that all evaluations are done by the peers of the applicants, and as astrobiology is inherently a broad discipline, the evaluation process revealed a number of trends related to multidisciplinarity of the astrobiology field. We believe that meetings like AbGradCon can provide a unique opportunity for students and early career researchers in astrobiology to experience community building, inter- and multidisciplinary collaboration, and career training and would be a welcome sight in other fields as well. We hope that this report provides inspiration and a basic roadmap for organizing future conferences in any field with similar goals.

Difficulty in performing activities of daily living and the need for help in older adults: evidence on social distancing models from the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. / Dificuldade em atividades de vida diária e necessidade de ajuda em idosos: discutindo modelos de distanciamento social com evidências da iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19.

To analyze whether the older adults with difficulty or need of help to perform basic or instrumentals activities of daily living are more socially distanced in times of COVID-19. A total of 4,035 older adults participated in the telephone interviews from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Difficulty, need and receiving help were classified into: (1) independents; (2) had difficulty without need for care; (3) had difficulty, needed and have received care from someone within their household; (4) had difficulty, needed and have received care from someone outside their household; and (5) had difficulty and needed care but did not receive it. Social distancing was categorized as follows: did not leave their houses in the last 7 days, left their houses for essential activities and went out for non-essential activities. Multinomial regression model adjusted for age, sex, schooling and great geographical region was performed. Older adults who had difficulty, needed and have received help from within their homes (odds ratio - OR = 2.34 95%CI: 1.25-4.39) or from outside their homes (OR = 3.94; 95%CI: 2.24-6.92) were more socially distanced. Age increased the odds of not going out (OR = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.03-1.09) while be men reduced it (OR = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.33-0.70). Living in the South of Brazil has increased the odds of the respondents going out for essential activities (OR = 1.77; 95%CI: 1.01-3.10). Older adults who had difficulty, needed and have received help from within or outside their homes did not leave their homes in the last 7 days. Even with social distancing, these older adults can not have their exposure to COVID-19 reduced, weakening the theory of selective social distancing.

Analisar se idosos com dificuldade ou necessidade de ajuda para desempenhar atividades básicas ou instrumentais de vida diária estão mais distanciados socialmente em tempos de COVID-19. Participaram das entrevistas telefônicas 4.035 idosos participantes da 2ª onda do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). Classificou-se a dificuldade, necessidade e recebimento de ajuda em: (1) independentes; (2) com dificuldade e não precisa de ajuda; (3) com dificuldade, precisa e recebe ajuda de pessoa de dentro de casa; (4) com dificuldade, precisa e recebe ajuda de pessoa de fora de casa; e (5) com dificuldade, precisa, mas não recebe ajuda. O distanciamento social foi categorizado como não saiu de casa nos últimos 7 dias, saiu de casa para atividades essenciais e saiu de casa para atividades não essenciais. Modelo de regressão multinomial controlado por idade, sexo, escolaridade e região do Brasil foi utilizado. Permaneceram mais distanciados socialmente os idosos que apresentavam dificuldade, necessitavam e recebiam ajuda de pessoa de dentro (odds ratio - OR = 2,34; IC95%: 1,25-4,39) ou de fora de casa (OR = 3,94; IC95%: 2,24-6,92). A idade aumentou a chance de não sair de casa (OR = 1,06; IC95%: 1,03-1,09) e ser homem a diminuiu (OR = 0,48; IC95%: 0,33-0,70). Viver na Região Sul aumentou a chance dos idosos saírem para atividades essenciais (OR = 1,77; IC95%: 1,01-3,10). Idosos com dificuldade, que precisam e recebiam ajuda de pessoas de dentro ou de fora de casa não saíram de casa nos últimos 7 dias. Mesmo com o distanciamento social, esses idosos podem não ter sua exposição ao COVID-19 reduzida, enfraquecendo a teoria do distanciamento social seletivo.

Analizar si los ancianos con dificultad o necesidad de ayuda para desempeñar actividades básicas (ABVD) o instrumentales de la vida diaria (AIVD) están más distanciados socialmente en tiempos de COVID-19. Participaron en las entrevistas telefónicas 4.035 ancianos de la encuesta de la segunda fase del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil). Se clasificó la dificultad, necesidad y recepción de ayuda en: (1) independientes; (2) con dificultad y no necesita ayuda; (3) con dificultad, necesita y recibe ayuda de una persona de dentro de casa; (4) con dificultad, necesita y recibe ayuda de persona de fuera de casa; y (5) con dificultad, necesita, pero no recibe ayuda. El distanciamiento social fue categorizado como: no salió de casa en los últimos 7 días, salió de casa para actividades esenciales y salió de casa para actividades no esenciales. Se usó un modelo de regresión multinomial controlado por edad, sexo, escolaridad y región de Brasil. Permanecieron más distanciados socialmente los ancianos que presentaban dificultad, necesitaban y recibían ayuda de una persona de dentro (odds ratio - OR = 2,34; IC95%: 1,25-4,39) o de fuera de casa (OR = 3,94; IC95%: 2,24-6,92). La edad aumentó la oportunidad de no salir de casa (OR = 1,06; IC95%: 1,03-1,09) y el sexo masculino disminuyó (OR = 0,48; IC95%: 0,33-0,70). Estar en la Región Sur aumentó la oportunidad de que los ancianos salgan para actividades esenciales (OR = 1,77; IC95%: 1,01-3,10). Los ancianos que necesitan ayuda de personas de dentro o de fuera de casa no salieron de casa en los últimos 7 días. Incluso con distanciamiento social, los ancianos que reciben ayuda de personas no distanciadas no tienen su exposición reducida a la COVID-19, lo que debilita la teoría del distanciamiento social selectivo.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a national sample of older Brazilians: the ELSI-COVID Initiative, March 2021. / Hesitação vacinal contra a COVID-19 em amostra nacional de idosos brasileiros: iniciativa ELSI-COVID, março de 2021.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence and factors associated with intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among older Brazilians. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on telephone interviews with participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) aged 60 years and over, conducted in 70 municipalities in March 2021. RESULTS: Among the 4,364 participants (mean age = 70.1 years), 91.8% intended to get vaccinated or had already been vaccinated, 2.5% did not intend to get vaccinated and 5.7% were undecided. Participants living in the North and Southeast regions were more likely to want to get vaccinated, as were those with two or more chronic diseases. Those who learned about COVID-19 from friends/family/social media were more likely to be undecided about vaccination (odds ratio = 3.15; 95%CI 1.28;7.77). CONCLUSION: The study identified one of the highest prevalence of intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 described in the literature to date.

Faculty

Biographies of Lead Presenters, ICCEC 2021 (alphabetical by presenter) Marleen Bakker Biography: Dr. Marleen Bakker is trained as a pulmonologist after a PhD on lung cancer research, and has been working as a staff member at the department of Pulmonary Diseases of the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands since 2002. Since 2004 that department started a cooperation with the department of Pulmonary Diseases of Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, and since 2014 with the department of Pulmonary Diseases of Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town. Since the COVID-19 outbreak Dr Botes became actively involved in pandemic preparedness and management research, writing the section about the pandemic's impact on human rights in the Country Report on governmental leadership, governance and the implementation of measures to combat COVID-19 in South Africa. Dr Botes is also serving on the panel of experts of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf) to investigate, advise and write consensus reports on the Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) related to Advanced Therapies such as gene therapy and stem cell research. Having started her career in private practice, representing London hospitals in their clinical negligence claims, she moved into academic law and has been the module convener for Medical Law and Ethics at Hertfordshire Law School for a number of years.

Healthcare utilization among older Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing-COVID-19 initiative.

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, understanding its sustained impact on healthcare access and utilization represents a vital task for decision-makers and health systems. This study investigates how three aspects of health care utilization (i.e., consultations for COVID-19 related symptoms, cancelation of previously scheduled care and hospitalisation in the past 30 days) relate to individual and municipal factors in a nationally-representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over. METHODS: Data were obtained for 6584 participants from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSI-Brazil in Portuguese) who were administered supplemental telephone interviews between September and October 2020. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis using survey-weighted Poisson regression were applied to evaluate all three outcomes of interest (consultation, care cancelation, and hospitalisation). Predicted probabilities were also calculated to understand the overall effect of relevant covariates. RESULTS: Women were 76% less likely to seek care for COVID-19 symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.24, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.10, 0.53) and 82% more likely to have healthcare cancelled due to the pandemic (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.43, 2.33) than men. Those who live in municipalities with low coverage (<40%) of community-based primary care (the Family Health Strategy) were more likely (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.00, 3.22) to be hospitalised for any reason in the past 30 days and more likely to experience healthcare cancelation (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.02). Living in the Southeast and Midwest regions was associated with 62% and 78%, respectively, lower odds of previously scheduled care being cancelled due to the pandemic, in comparison to the North region (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.67, and OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.36). Living in the Southeast region was associated with over 7.61 higher odds of having sought care for COVID-19-related symptoms, relative to those living in the North (OR = 7.61, 95% CI = 2.16, 26.85). CONCLUSION: Results highlight the uneven impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care utilization between males and females, and across Brazilian municipalities and regions.

AbGradCon 2021: Lessons in Digital Meetings, International Collaboration, and Interdisciplinarity in Astrobiology (preprint)

The Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) is an annual conference both organized for and by early career researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and students as a way to train the next generation of astrobiologists and develop a robust network of cohorts moving forward. AbGradCon 2021 was held virtually on September 14-17, 2021, hosted by the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) of Tokyo Institute of Technology after postponement of the in-person event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting consisted of presentations by 120 participants from a variety of fields, two keynote speakers, and other career building events and workshops. Here, we report on the organizational and executional aspects of AbGradCon 2021, including the meeting participant demographics, various digital aspects introduced specifically for a virtual edition of the meeting, and the abstract submission and evaluation process. The abstract evaluation process of AbGradCon 2021 is unique in that all evaluations are done by the peers of the applicants, and as astrobiology is inherently a broad discipline, the abstract evaluation process revealed a number of trends related to multidisciplinarity of the astrobiology field. We believe that meetings like AbGradCon can provide a unique opportunity for students and early career researchers in astrobiology to experience community building, inter- and multidisciplinary collaboration, and career training and would be a welcome sight in other fields as well. We hope that this report provides inspiration and a basic roadmap for organizing future conferences in any field with similar goals.

Ethics, Guidelines, Standards, and Policy: Telemedicine, COVID-19, and Broadening the Ethical Scope.

The coronavirus crisis is causing considerable disruption and anguish. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent explosion of telehealth services also provide an unparalleled opportunity to consider ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) beyond immediate needs. Ethicists, informaticians, and others can learn from experience, and evaluate information technology practices and evidence on which to base policy and standards, identify significant values and issues, and revise ethical guidelines. This paper builds on professional organizations' guidelines and ELSI scholarship to develop emerging concerns illuminated by current experience. Four ethical themes characterized previous literature: quality of care and the doctor-patient relationship, access, consent, and privacy. More attention is needed to these and to expanding the scope of ethical analysis to include health information technologies. An applied ethics approach to ELSI would addresses context-specific issues and the relationships between people and technologies, and facilitate effective and ethical institutionalization of telehealth and other health information technologies.

Towards a Population Health Information Research Infrastructure

Issue/Problem Bringing Real World Evidence (RWE) and scientific consensus to the attention of policymakers is key in underpinning and supporting health policy decision making. Now more than ever, generating information on health and well-being of European populations as impacted by COVID-19 requires the full capacity of the European research community to generate evidence for better health system preparedness. Nevertheless, the necessary type of research input is not structurally and sufficiently available within the European research landscape. Description of the problem COVID-19 has clearly shown that a structured European mechanism to organize and share accurate information between countries is urgently needed, especially in the area of population health, to inform decision-makers, researchers and the public. Results The Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) offers a European mechanism for structured exchanges of population health data and information useful also in current and future epidemics or crises. The project improves population health information research at EU level, with services and tools necessary for researchers to find and access population health information data sources and to use Pan-European data for generating RWE, including an online Health Information Portal and the implementation of distributed analytical solutions to produce research outputs in a GDPR compliant, federated way. Finally, by means of EU-wide capacity building, PHIRI tackles health information inequalities. Lessons The support of exchange of knowledge and expertise across Europe is a key for driving the decision-making process, and facilitated by a European Health Information portal for COVID-19 embracing a federated infrastructure that overcomes data reuse and data sharing hindrances. This allows for a rapid and relevant policy response and analysis of knowledge gaps, while ensuring FAIR and ELSI principles.

Which older Brazilians will accept a COVID-19 vaccine? Cross-sectional evidence from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil).

OBJECTIVES: Vaccine hesitancy may represent a barrier to effective COVID-19 immunisation campaigns. This study assesses individual, disease-specific and contextual factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a nationally representative sample of older Brazilian adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data from household interviews and a supplementary telephone survey. SETTING: Brazil and its five geographic regions. PARTICIPANTS: Data are derived from 6584 individuals aged 50 years and over who participated in the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Survey-weighted multinomial logistic regression assesses factors associated with intending, not intending or being uncertain about one's intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. FINDINGS: Seventy-one per cent of study participants intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once available, while 17% (representative of nearly 9 million people) have no intention to vaccinate, and 12% are still undecided. Besides age, demographic and health-related factors related to COVID-19 severity and complications were not associated with intention to vaccinate. Those who most trusted social media or friends and family for COVID-19 information and those who did not trust any information source were 68% and 78% more likely to refuse vaccination, respectively, as compared with those who trusted official information sources. People who inconsistently used face masks when outside were 3.4 times more likely than consistent face mask users to intend to refuse vaccination. Higher municipal COVID-19 fatality rates were negatively associated with vaccine refusal. CONCLUSIONS: Most national COVID-19 immunisation strategies identify older individuals as among those prioritised for early vaccination, given their increased risk of more severe symptoms and complications of the disease. Because individual, disease-specific, and contextual factors were associated with vaccine acceptance, there is a clear need for multilevel and multichannel information and outreach campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among vulnerable older populations.

Biobanking in the Era of COVID-19: Ethical and Governance Challenges

Biobanking is likely to be a crucial element of the medical and public health response to COVID-19 and future pandemics. The storage and distribution of samples and data are vital for 1) collecting and analyzing biospecimens from patients for COVID-19 related research and 2) may become increasingly important as a resource to maintain other kinds of biomedical research as regular recruitment for clinical studies becomes more difficult during a pandemic. Nevertheless, biobanks face a number of unique ethical, social, and governance challenges during COVID-19 that may require new practices and policies to maintain their work and meet the needs of researchers, donors, and other biobank stakeholders. These challenges may be experienced by both new biobanks created explicitly for COVID-19 related research, and existing biobanks. Additionally, these challenges may be further complicated by the need to balance public health surveillance uses of samples and data and the clinical research uses of biobank resources. To address these issues researchers at Case Western Reserve University, University of Louisville, and University of North Carolina in partnership with International Society of Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) Ethics and COVID19 TaskForce created a survey to assess the ethical/governance challenges of biobanking during the COVID-19 pandemic, explore the ethical challanges associated with creating new COVID-19 biobanks, and address needed resources for addressing the ethical challenges of COVID-19 biobanking. This talk will present the findings from our COVID19 ELSI survey and discuss how the results may better inform biobanking practices and policies. We believe that a better understanding of the experiences and needs of biobanks will help inform the development of best practices/policies for maintaining biobank operations and address the needs of existing biobanks and new COVID-19 related research resources. Overall, we will discuss how our findings will inform ISBER policies and guidance regarding biobanking best practices, identify areas of need for maintaining biobanks during a pandemic, and benefit ISBER members and the broader biobanking community by providing practical strategies for addressing emerging ELSI issues related to the pandemic.

Loneliness and social disconnectedness in the time of pandemic period among Brazilians: evidence from the ELSI COVID-19 initiative.

Objectives: This study aimed at estimating the pre-pandemic and pandemic prevalence of loneliness and investigating the association of loneliness with social disconnectedness during social distancing strategies in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic period.Methods: We used data from the ELSI COVID-19 initiative with participants from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which comprised 4,431 participants aged 50 years and over. Loneliness (hardly ever/some of the time/often) was assessed by the question "In the past 30 days, how often did you feel alone/lonely?". Social disconnectedness included information on social contacts through virtual talking (i.e. telephone, Skype, WhatsApp, or social media) and outside-home meetings with people living in another household. Covariates included sociodemographic and health related characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: The overall prevalence of loneliness during the pandemic was 23.9% (95% CI 20.7-27.5); lower than in the pre-pandemic period (32.8%; 95% CI 28.6-37.4). In the pandemic period, 20.1% (95% CI 16.9-23.6) reported some of the time feeling lonely and 3.9% (95% CI 3.1-4.8) reported often feeling lonely. In the fully adjusted model, virtual talking disconnectedness (OR=1.67; 95% CI 1.09-2.56) was positively associated with some of the time feeling lonely and outside-home disconnectedness (OR=0.33; 95% CI 0.18-0.60) was negatively associated with often feeling lonely.Conclusion: Individuals with virtual talking disconnectedness and without outside-home disconnectedness are at higher risk of loneliness during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Stimulating virtual talking connectedness might have the potential to diminish loneliness despite steep outside-home disconnectedness.

Difficulty in performing activities of daily living and the need for help in older adults: evidence on social distancing models from the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

Resumo: Analisar se idosos com dificuldade ou necessidade de ajuda para desempenhar atividades básicas ou instrumentais de vida diária estão mais distanciados socialmente em tempos de COVID-19. Participaram das entrevistas telefônicas 4.035 idosos participantes da 2ª onda do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). Classificou-se a dificuldade, necessidade e recebimento de ajuda em: (1) independentes;(2) com dificuldade e não precisa de ajuda;(3) com dificuldade, precisa e recebe ajuda de pessoa de dentro de casa;(4) com dificuldade, precisa e recebe ajuda de pessoa de fora de casa;e (5) com dificuldade, precisa, mas não recebe ajuda. O distanciamento social foi categorizado como não saiu de casa nos últimos 7 dias, saiu de casa para atividades essenciais e saiu de casa para atividades não essenciais. Modelo de regressão multinomial controlado por idade, sexo, escolaridade e região do Brasil foi utilizado. Permaneceram mais distanciados socialmente os idosos que apresentavam dificuldade, necessitavam e recebiam ajuda de pessoa de dentro (odds ratio - OR = 2,34;IC95%: 1,25-4,39) ou de fora de casa (OR = 3,94;IC95%: 2,24-6,92). A idade aumentou a chance de não sair de casa (OR = 1,06;IC95%: 1,03-1,09) e ser homem a diminuiu (OR = 0,48;IC95%: 0,33-0,70). Viver na Região Sul aumentou a chance dos idosos saírem para atividades essenciais (OR = 1,77;IC95%: 1,01-3,10). Idosos com dificuldade, que precisam e recebiam ajuda de pessoas de dentro ou de fora de casa não saíram de casa nos últimos 7 dias. Mesmo com o distanciamento social, esses idosos podem não ter sua exposição ao COVID-19 reduzida, enfraquecendo a teoria do distanciamento social seletivo. Resumen: Analizar si los ancianos con dificultad o necesidad de ayuda para desempeñar actividades básicas (ABVD) o instrumentales de la vida diaria (AIVD) están más distanciados socialmente en tiempos de COVID-19. Participaron en las entrevistas telefónicas 4.035 ancianos de la encuesta de la segunda fase del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil). Se clasificó la dificultad, necesidad y recepción de ayuda en: (1) independientes;(2) con dificultad y no necesita ayuda;(3) con dificultad, necesita y recibe ayuda de una persona de dentro de casa;(4) con dificultad, necesita y recibe ayuda de persona de fuera de casa;y (5) con dificultad, necesita, pero no recibe ayuda. El distanciamiento social fue categorizado como: no salió de casa en los últimos 7 días, salió de casa para actividades esenciales y salió de casa para actividades no esenciales. Se usó un modelo de regresión multinomial controlado por edad, sexo, escolaridad y región de Brasil. Permanecieron más distanciados socialmente los ancianos que presentaban dificultad, necesitaban y recibían ayuda de una persona de dentro (odds ratio - OR = 2,34;IC95%: 1,25-4,39) o de fuera de casa (OR = 3,94;IC95%: 2,24-6,92). La edad aumentó la oportunidad de no salir de casa (OR = 1,06;IC95%: 1,03-1,09) y el sexo masculino disminuyó (OR = 0,48;IC95%: 0,33-0,70). Estar en la Región Sur aumentó la oportunidad de que los ancianos salgan para actividades esenciales (OR = 1,77;IC95%: 1,01-3,10). Los ancianos que necesitan ayuda de personas de dentro o de fuera de casa no salieron de casa en los últimos 7 días. Incluso con distanciamiento social, los ancianos que reciben ayuda de personas no distanciadas no tienen su exposición reducida a la COVID-19, lo que debilita la teoría del distanciamiento social selectivo. Abstract: To analyze whether the older adults with difficulty or need of help to perform basic or instrumentals activities of daily living are more socially distanced in times of COVID-19. A total of 4,035 older adults participated in the telephone interviews from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Difficulty, need and receiving help were classified into: (1) independents;(2) had difficulty without need for care;(3) had difficulty, needed and have received care from someone within their household;(4) had difficulty, needed and have received care from someone outside their household;and (5) had difficulty and needed care but did not receive it. Social distancing was categorized as follows: did not leave their houses in the last 7 days, left their houses for essential activities and went out for non-essential activities. Multinomial regression model adjusted for age, sex, schooling and great geographical region was performed. Older adults who had difficulty, needed and have received help from within their homes (odds ratio - OR = 2.34 95%CI: 1.25-4.39) or from outside their homes (OR = 3.94;95%CI: 2.24-6.92) were more socially distanced. Age increased the odds of not going out (OR = 1.06;95%CI: 1.03-1.09) while be men reduced it (OR = 0.48;95%CI: 0.33-0.70). Living in the South of Brazil has increased the odds of the respondents going out for essential activities (OR = 1.77;95%CI: 1.01-3.10). Older adults who had difficulty, needed and have received help from within or outside their homes did not leave their homes in the last 7 days. Even with social distancing, these older adults can not have their exposure to COVID-19 reduced, weakening the theory of selective social distancing.

Social distancing, use of face masks and hand washing among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. / Distanciamento social, uso de máscaras e higienização das mãos entre participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros: iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19.

The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of social distancing, the use of face masks and hand washing when leaving home among Brazilian adults aged 50 or over. Data from 6,149 telephone interviews were used, conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020 among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Social distancing was defined by not having left home in the last seven days. Only 32.8% of study participants did not leave home during the period considered, 36.3% left between one and two times, 15.2% between three and five times and 15.7% left every day. The main reasons for leaving home were to buy medicine or food (74.2%), to work (25.1%), to pay bills (24.5%), for health care (10.5%), to exercise (6.2%), and to meet family or friends (8.8%). Among those who left home, 97.3% always wore face masks and 97.3% always performed hand washing. Women left home less often than men. Men left home more often to work and exercise while women left home more often to seek healthcare. Men (odds ratio - OR = 1.84), those with higher education (OR = 1.48 and 1.95 for 5-8 and 9 years, respectively) and urban residents (OR = 1.54) left home more frequently to perform essential activities, regardless of age or other characteristics. Results show low adherence to social distancing, but high prevalence in the reported use of face masks and hand washing.

O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a prevalência do distanciamento social, do uso de máscaras e da higienização das mãos ao sair de casa entre adultos brasileiros com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de 6.149 entrevistas telefônicas, conduzidas entre 26 de maio e 8 junho de 2020 dentre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). O distanciamento social foi definido por não ter saído de casa nos últimos 7 dias. Somente 32,8% dos participantes do estudo não saíram de casa no período considerado, 36,3% saíram entre 1 e 2 vezes, 15,2% entre 3 a 5 vezes e 15,7% saíram todos os dias. As principais razões para sair de casa foram comprar remédios ou alimentos (74,2%), trabalhar (25,1%), pagar contas (24,5%), atendimento dem saúde (10,5%), fazer exercícios (6,2%) e encontrar familiares ou amigos (8,8%). Entre os que saíram de casa, 97,3% usaram sempre máscaras faciais e 97,3% sempre higienizaram as mãos. As mulheres saíram menos de casa que os homens. Esses saíram com mais frequência para trabalhar e fazer exercícios. Elas saíram mais para atendimento em saúde. Os homens (odds ratio - OR =1,84) aqueles com escolaridade mais alta (OR = 1,48 e 1,95 para 5-8 e 9 anos, respectivamente) e os residentes em áreas urbanas (OR = 1,54) saíram mais para realizar atividades essenciais, independentemente da idade e de outros fatores relevantes. Os resultados mostram baixa adesão ao distanciamento social, mas altas prevalências nos usos de máscaras e higienização das mãos.

El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la prevalencia del distanciamiento social, uso de mascarillas e higienización de las manos al salir de casa entre adultos brasileños con 50 años o más de edad. Se utilizaron datos de 6.149 entrevistas telefónicas, realizadas entre el 26 de mayo y el 8 junio de 2020 entre los participantes del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil por sus siglas en portugués). El distanciamiento social fue definido por no haber salido de casa en los últimos 7 días. Solamente un 32,8% de los participantes del estudio no salieron de casa en el período considerado, 36,3% salieron entre 1 y 2 veces, 15,2% entre 3 a 5 veces y 15,7% salieron todos los días. Las principales razones para salir de casa fueron comprar medicamentos o alimentos (74,2%), trabajar (25,1%), pagar cuentas (24,5%), atención en salud (10,5%), hacer ejercicios (6,2%) y encontrar con familiares o amigos (8,8%). Entre los que salieron de casa, un 97,3% usaron siempre mascarillas faciales y un 97,3% higienizaron siempre las manos. Las mujeres salieron menos de casa que los hombres. Estos salieron con más frecuencia para trabajar y para hacer ejercicio. Ellas salieron más para la atención en salud. Los hombres (odds ratio - OR = 1,84), los con escolaridad más alta (OR = 1,48 y 1,95 para 5-8 y 9 años) y los residentes en áreas urbanas (OR = 1,54) salieron más para realizar actividades esenciales, independientemente de la edad y de otros factores relevantes. Los resultados muestran una baja adhesión al distanciamiento social, pero altas prevalencias en el uso de mascarillas e higienización de las manos.

ELSI-COVID-19 initiative: methodology of the telephone survey on coronavirus in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging.

The COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2) is a public health emergency of international concern that particularly affects older people. Brazil is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, ranking second with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide as of mid-June 2020. The ELSI-COVID-19 initiative is based on telephone interviews with participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted on a nationally representative sample of the population aged 50 or older. This initiative aims to provide information on adherence to preventive measures (social distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing/hygiene); reasons for leaving the house, when that was the case; difficulties obtaining medications, medical diagnosis of COVID-19, and receipt of confirmatory results; use of health-care services (recent care-seeking, care-seeking location, care receipt, among other aspects); and mental health (sleep, depression, and loneliness). The first round of telephone interviews was conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020. The second and third rounds are expected to occur within the coming months. This article presents this initiative methodology and some sociodemographic characteristics of the 6,149 participants in the survey first round, relative the Brazilian population within the same age group.

Health care seeking due to COVID-19 related symptoms and health care cancellations among older Brazilian adults: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative.

The continent of the Americas has the greatest number of people infected and deaths associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the world. Brazil occupies the 2nd position in numbers of infected cases and deaths, preceded only by the United States. Older adults and those with pre-existing chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to the consequences of the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has serious consequences for health services. Therefore, an assessment of the pandemic's effect on the older Brazilian population is urgently needed. The study examines the prevalence of COVID-19 related symptoms, care-seeking, and cancellation of surgery or other scheduled medical care among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over derived from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey (the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative) between late May and early June 2020. About 10.4% of older adults reported any fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing in the 30 days prior to the interview, with the highest prevalence in the North region (50%). Among individuals with symptoms, only 33.6% sought care. Individuals living in the South or Southeast regions were significantly less likely to seek care for COVID-19 related symptoms. Nearly one in six participants had to cancel scheduled surgery or other medical care; this proportion was higher among women, those with more education, and people with multiple chronic conditions. This paper is among the first to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on health care use in Brazil among older adults. Results highlight the need to adapt health care delivery (such as through telemedicine) to ensure the continuity of care as well as the urgent need for wide dissemination of information to guide the population on disease prevention measures and how to obtain healthcare when needed.

Protective behaviors for COVID-19 among Brazilian adults and elderly living with multimorbidity: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. / Comportamentos de proteção contra COVID-19 entre adultos e idosos brasileiros que vivem com multimorbidade: iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19.

To measure the occurrence of protective behaviors for COVID-19 and sociodemographic factors according to the occurrence of multimorbidity in the Brazilian population aged 50 or over was the objective of this study. We used data from telephone surveys among participants of ELSI-Brazil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging), conducted between May and June 2020. The use of non-pharmacological prevention measures for COVID-19, reasons for leaving home according to the presence of multimorbidity and sociodemographic variables were evaluated. among 6,149 individuals. Multimorbidity was more frequent in females, married, aged 50-59 years and residents of the urban area. Most of the population left home between once and twice in the last week, increasing according to the number of morbidities (22.3% no morbidities and 38% with multimorbidity). Leaving home every day was less common among individuals with multimorbidity (10.3%) and 9.3% left home in the last week to access health care. Hand hygiene (> 98%) and always wearing a mask when leaving home (> 96%) were almost universal habits. Greater adherence to social isolation was observed among women with multimorbidity when compared to men (PR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.23-1.79). This adherence increased proportionally with age and inversely with the level of education. The protective behavior in people with multimorbidity seems to be greater in relation to the others, although issues related to social isolation and health care deserve to be highlighted. These findings can be useful in customizing strategies for coping with the current pandemic.

Objetivou-se medir a ocorrência de comportamentos de proteção contra a COVID-19 e fatores sociodemográficos segundo a ocorrência de multimorbidade na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de inquérito telefônico entre participantes do ELSI-Brasil (Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros), conduzido entre maio e junho de 2020. Avaliou-se o uso de medidas de prevenção não farmacológica para COVID-19, motivos para sair de casa segundo a presença de multimorbidade e variáveis sociodemográficas. Participaram do estudo 6.149 pessoas. Multimorbidade foi mais frequente no sexo feminino, em casados, na faixa etária 50-59 anos de idade e em moradores da zona urbana. A maior parte da população saiu de casa entre uma e duas vezes na última semana, percentual que aumentou segundo o número de morbidades (22,3% sem morbidades e 38% com multimorbidade). Sair de casa todos os dias teve menor ocorrência entre indivíduos com multimorbidade (10,3%), e 9,3% saíram de casa na última semana para obter atendimento de saúde. Higienização de mãos (> 98%) e sempre usar máscara ao sair de casa (> 96%) foram hábitos quase universais. Observou-se maior adesão ao isolamento social entre as mulheres com multimorbidade quando comparadas com os homens (RP = 1,49; IC95%: 1,23-1,79); esta adesão aumentou proporcionalmente com a idade e inversamente ao nível de escolaridade. O comportamento de proteção em pessoas com multimorbidade parece ser maior em relação aos demais, embora questões relacionadas ao isolamento social e cuidado em saúde mereçam ser destacadas. Esses achados podem ser úteis na customização de estratégias de enfrentamento atual da pandemia.

El objetivo fue medir la ocurrencia de comportamientos de protección contra la COVID-19 y factores sociodemográficos, según la ocurrencia de multimorbilidad, en la población brasileña con 50 años o más de edad. Se utilizaron datos de la encuesta telefónica entre participantes del ELSI-Brasil (Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento), realizado entre mayo y junio de 2020. Se evaluó el uso de medidas de prevención no farmacológica para la COVID-19, motivos para salir de casa, según la presencia de multimorbilidad y variables sociodemográficas. Participaron del estudio 6.149 personas. La multimorbilidad fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino, en casados, en la franja de edad 50-59 años de edad y en residentes de la zona urbana. La mayor parte de la población salió de casa entre una y dos veces en la última semana, porcentaje que aumentó según el número de morbilidades (22,3% sin morbilidades y 38% con multimorbilidad). Salir de casa todos los días tuvo una menor ocurrencia entre individuos con multimorbilidad (10,3%), y 9,3% salieron de casa en la última semana para obtener atención en salud. La higienización de manos (> 98%) y siempre usar mascarilla al salir de casa (> 96%) fueron hábitos casi universales. Se observó una mayor adhesión al aislamiento social entre las mujeres con multimorbilidad cuando se compararon con los hombres (RP = 1,49; IC95%: 1,23-1,79); esta adhesión aumentó proporcionalmente con la edad y fue inversamente proporcional al nivel de escolaridad. El comportamiento de protección en personas con multimorbilidad parece ser mayor respecto a los demás, a pesar de que las cuestiones relacionadas con el aislamiento social y cuidado en salud merezcan ser destacadas. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles en la personalización de estrategias de combate a la actual pandemia.

Health behaviours and the adoption of individual protection measures during the new coronavirus pandemic: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. / Comportamentos em saúde e adoção de medidas de proteção individual durante a pandemia do novo coronavírus: iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether healthy behaviours determine the adoption of individual protective measures to fight COVID-19. The data were obtained from the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative, a telephone survey conducted among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which includes a national sample representative of the population aged 50 years or older. The outcomes evaluated were three protective measures (not having left home in the past week, wearing a mask when leaving home, and sanitizing hands when returning home), and the explanatory variables were health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physical activity). The associations were evaluated by logistic models, considering adjustments for potential confounding factors. A total of 5,827 individuals participated in the analysis; 32.2% did not leave home in the last week, and among those who left home, 97.5% used a face mask, and 97.3% sanitized their hands when they returned home. The practice of physical activity at the recommended levels was associated with a lower chance of not leaving home in the previous week. Ex-smokers were more likely to use a mask, and those who practised physical activity were less likely to adopt this protective measure. Individuals with low-risk alcohol consumption had a higher chance of sanitizing their hands. Actions aimed at increasing the adoption of protective measures to fight the new coronavirus should consider the existence of vulnerable groups, which can be identified by the distribution of other health behaviours in the population.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se os comportamentos saudáveis determinam a adoção de medidas protetivas individuais para o combate à COVID-19. Os dados foram obtidos da iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19, inquérito telefônico conduzido entre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), que inclui amostra nacional representativa da população com 50 anos ou mais. Os desfechos avaliados foram três medidas protetivas (não ter saído de casa na última semana, usar máscara quando saiu de casa e higienizar as mãos quando retornou para casa) e as variáveis explicativas foram os comportamentos em saúde (tabagismo, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, consumo de frutas e hortaliças e prática de atividade física). As associações foram avaliadas por modelos logísticos, considerando-se o ajuste por potenciais fatores de confusão. Participaram da análise 5.827 indivíduos; 32,2% não saíram de casa na última semana; e entre os que saíram de casa, 97,5% usaram máscara facial e 97,3% higienizaram as mãos quando retornaram ao domicílio. A prática de atividade física nos níveis recomendados foi associada com menor chance de não sair de casa na semana anterior. Os ex-fumantes apresentaram maior chance de usar máscara e aqueles que praticavam atividade física tinham menor chance de adotar esta medida protetiva. Indivíduos com consumo de baixo risco de bebidas alcoólicas apresentaram maior chance de higienizar as mãos. Ações que visem ao aumento da adoção das medidas protetivas para o combate ao novo coronavírus devem considerar a existência de grupos vulneráveis, que podem ser identificados pela distribuição de outros comportamentos em saúde na população.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si los comportamientos saludables determinan la adopción de medidas protectoras individuales para combatir la COVID-19. Los datos se obtuvieron del iniciativa ELSI COVID-19, encuesta telefónica llevada a cabo entre los participantes del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), que incluye una muestra nacional representativa de la población con 50 años o más. Los desenlaces evaluados fueron tres medidas protectoras: no haber salido de casa en la última semana, usar mascarilla cuando se salió de casa e higienizar las manos cuando se volvió a casa. Asimismo, las variables explicativas fueron los comportamientos en salud (tabaquismo, consumo de bebidas alcohólicas, consumo de frutas y hortalizas, así como la práctica de actividad física). Las asociaciones fueron evaluadas mediante modelos logísticos, considerando el ajuste por potenciales factores de confusión. Participaron en el análisis 5.827 individuos; un 32,2% no salió de casa en la última semana, entre quienes salieron de casa un 97,5% usaron mascarilla facial y un 97,3% se higienizaron las manos, cuando regresaron al domicilio. La práctica de actividad física en los niveles recomendados estuvo asociada con una menor oportunidad de no salir de casa en la semana anterior. Los exfumadores presentaron una mayor oportunidad de usar mascarilla y aquellos que practicaban actividad física tenían una menor oportunidad de adoptar esta medida protectora. Individuos con un consumo de bajo riesgo de bebidas alcohólicas presentaron una mayor oportunidad de higienizar sus manos. Las acciones que tengan como objetivo el aumento de la adopción de medidas protectoras para combatir al nuevo coronavirus deben considerar la existencia de grupos vulnerables, que pueden ser identificados por la distribución de otros comportamientos en salud dentro de la población.

Relationship between work before the epidemic and having gone out to work during the epidemic among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging: results of the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. / Relação entre trabalho antes da epidemia e ter saído para trabalhar durante esse período entre participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros: resultados da iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19.

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of going out to work during the COVID-19 epidemic, and the factors associated with this, among adults aged 50 years and over who were in paid employment before its onset. We used data from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted through face-to-face interviews between August 2019 and March 2020 (before the onset of the epidemic), in a representative national sample of adults aged 50 and over, and data obtained through telephone interviews carried out among the same participants (ELSI-COVID-19 initiative), conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020 (during the epidemic). The analyses were based on odds ratios (OR) estimated by logistic regression. The participants' mean age was 59.9 years (SD = 6.5). The prevalence of going out to work in the previous seven days was 38.4% (95%CI: 31.3-46.1), 50.2% among men and 25.1% among women (formal work, self-employment, and informal work). The results showed that among men, the likelihood of going out to work was lower among those aged 60 to 69 years compared to those aged 50 to 59 years (OR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.15-0.48). Among women, the likelihood was lower among those who were self-employed (OR = 0.28; 95%CI: 0.12-0.64) or in informal employment before the epidemic (OR = 0.25; 95%CI: 0.09-0.69), compared to those in formal employment. One of the hypotheses to explain this association is that women in informal employment were more likely to be dismissed, and that self-employed women have stopped working during the epidemic.

O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a prevalência e fatores associados a ter saído para trabalhar durante a epidemia da COVID-19, entre adultos com 50 anos ou mais que exerciam trabalho remunerado antes do seu início. Foram utilizados dados da segunda onda do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), conduzida por meio de entrevista face a face, entre agosto de 2019 e março de 2020 (antes do início da epidemia), em amostra nacional representativa de adultos com 50 anos ou mais, e dados obtidos por meio de entrevistas telefônicas realizadas entre esses participantes (iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19), conduzidas entre 26 de maio e 8 de junho de 2020 (durante a epidemia). As análises foram baseadas nas odds ratios (OR) estimadas pela regressão logística. A média de idade dos participantes foi 59,9 anos (DP = 6,5). A prevalência de ter saído para trabalhar nos sete dias anteriores foi de 38,4% (IC95%: 31,3-46,1), 50,2% entre os homens e 25,1% entre as mulheres (trabalho formal, por conta própria e informal). Os resultados mostraram que, entre os homens, a chance de ter saído para trabalhar foi menor entre aqueles de 60 a 69 anos em comparação com aqueles de 50 a 59 anos (OR = 0,27; IC95%: 0,15-0,48). Entre as mulheres, a probabilidade de ter saído para trabalhar foi menor entre aquelas que trabalhavam por conta própria (OR = 0,28; IC95%: 0,12-0,64) ou tinham vínculo informal de trabalho antes da epidemia (OR = 0,25; IC95%: 0,09-0,69), em comparação àquelas com vínculo formal de trabalho. Uma das hipóteses para explicar essa associação é que as mulheres com vínculo informal tenham sido dispensadas e aquelas que trabalhavam por conta própria tenham deixado de trabalhar durante a epidemia.

El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la prevalencia y factores asociados a haber salido para trabajar durante la epidemia de la COVID-19, entre adultos con 50 años o más, que ejercían trabajo remunerado antes del inicio de la misma. Se utilizaron datos de la segunda fase del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), llevada a cabo mediante una entrevista cara a cara, entre agosto de 2019 y marzo de 2020 (antes del inicio de la epidemia), en una muestra nacional representativa de adultos con 50 años o más, y datos obtenidos por medio de entrevistas telefónicas realizadas entre estos participantes (iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19), realizadas entre el 26 de mayo y 8 de junio de 2020 (durante la epidemia). Los análisis se basaron en las odds ratios (OR) estimadas por regresión logística. La media de edad de los participantes fue 59,9 años (DP = 6,5). La prevalencia de haber salido para trabajar durante los siete días anteriores fue de un 38,4% (IC95%: 31,3-46,1), 50,2% entre hombres y un 25,1% entre las mujeres (trabajo formal, por cuenta propia e informal). Los resultados mostraron que, entre los hombres, la oportunidad de haber salido a trabajar fue menor entre aquellos con edades comprendidas entre los 60 a 69 años, en comparación con aquellos de 50 a 59 años (OR = 0,27; IC95%: 0,15-0,48). Entre las mujeres, la probabilidad de haber salido a trabajar fue menor entre aquellas que trabajaban por cuenta propia (OR = 0,28; IC95%: 0,12-0,64) o tenían un vínculo laboral informal antes de la epidemia (OR = 0,25; IC95%: 0,09-0,69), en comparación con aquellas con un vínculo laboral formal. Una de las hipótesis para explicar esta asociación es que las mujeres con un vínculo informal fueron dispensadas del servicio y aquellas que trabajaban por cuenta propia hayan dejado de trabajar durante la epidemia.

Multimorbidity and population at risk for severe COVID-19 in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging. / Multimorbidade e população em risco para COVID-19 grave no Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros.

This study aimed to measure the occurrence of multimorbidity and to estimate the number of individuals in the Brazilian population 50 years or older at risk for severe COVID-19. This was a cross-sectional nationwide study based on data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted in 2015-2016, with 9,412 individuals 50 years or older. Multimorbidity was defined as ≥ 2 chronic conditions based on a list of 15 diseases considered risk conditions for severe COVID-19. The analyses included calculation of prevalence and estimation of the absolute number of persons in the population at risk. Self-rated health status, frailty, and basic activities of daily living were used as markers of health status. Sex, age, region of the country, and schooling were used as covariables. Some 80% of the sample had at least one of the target conditions, which represents some 34 million individuals. Multimorbidity was reported by 52% of the study population, with higher proportions in the Central, Southeast, and South of Brazil. Cardiovascular diseases and obesity were the most frequent chronic conditions. An estimated 2.4 million Brazilians are at serious health risk. The results revealed inequalities according to schooling. The number of persons 50 years or older who presented risk conditions for severe COVID-19 is high both in absolute and relative terms. The estimate is important for planning strategies to monitor persons with chronic conditions and for preventive strategies to deal with the novel coronavirus.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir a ocorrência de multimorbidade e estimar o número de indivíduos na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais em risco para COVID-19 grave. Estudo transversal de base nacional com dados do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), conduzido em 2015-2016, com 9.412 indivíduos com 50 anos ou mais. A multimorbidade foi caracterizada como ≥ 2 condições crônicas com base em uma lista de 15 morbidades consideradas de risco para COVID-19 grave. As análises incluíram cálculo de prevalência e estimativa do número absoluto de pessoas na população em risco. Autoavaliação do estado de saúde, fragilidade e atividades básicas da vida diária foram utilizadas como marcadores da situação de saúde. Sexo, idade, região geopolítica e escolaridade foram usados como covariáveis. Cerca de 80% dos indivíduos da amostra apresentaram pelo menos alguma das morbidades avaliadas, o que representa cerca de 34 milhões de indivíduos; a multimorbidade foi referida por 52% da população em estudo, com maior proporção nas regiões Centro-oeste, Sudeste e Sul. Doenças cardiovasculares e obesidade foram as condições crônicas mais frequentes. Estima-se que 2,4 milhões de brasileiros estejam em risco grave de saúde. Desigualdades segundo a escolaridade foram observadas. O número de pessoas com 50 anos ou mais que apresentam morbidades de risco para COVID-19 grave é elevado tanto em termos relativos quanto absolutos. A estimativa apresentada é importante para planejar as estratégias de monitoramento das pessoas com morbidades crônicas e de prevenção no enfrentamento do novo coronavírus.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue medir la ocurrencia de multimorbilidad y estimar el número de individuos en la población brasileña, con 50 años o más, en riesgo de COVID-19 grave. Estudio transversal de base nacional, con datos del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), llevado a cabo en 2015-2016, con 9.412 individuos con 50 años o más. La multimorbilidad se caracterizó como ≥ 2 condiciones crónicas, en base a una lista de 15 morbilidades consideradas de riesgo para COVID-19 grave. Los análisis incluyeron el cálculo de prevalencia y estimación del número absoluto de personas en la población en riesgo. La autoevaluación del estado de salud, fragilidad y actividades básicas de la vida diaria fueron utilizadas como marcadores de la situación de salud. Sexo, edad, región geopolítica y escolaridad fueron usados como covariables. Cerca de un 80% de los individuos de la muestra presentaron por lo menos alguna de las morbilidades evaluadas, lo que representa cerca de 34 millones de individuos; la multimorbilidad fue referida por un 52% de la población en estudio, con mayor proporción en las regiones Centro, Sureste y Sur. Enfermedades cardiovasculares y obesidad fueron las enfermedades crónicas más frecuentes. Se estima que 2,4 millones de brasileños están en riesgo grave de salud. Se observaron desigualdades según la escolaridad. El número de personas con 50 años o más que presentan morbilidades de riesgo para la COVID-19 grave es elevado, tanto en términos relativos, como absolutos. La estimación presentada es importante para planear las estrategias de monitoreo de las personas con morbilidades crónicas y de prevención en el combate al nuevo coronavirus.

Health behaviours and the adoption of individual protection measures during the new coronavirus pandemic: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se os comportamentos saudáveis determinam a adoção de medidas protetivas individuais para o combate à COVID-19. Os dados foram obtidos da iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19, inquérito telefônico conduzido entre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), que inclui amostra nacional representativa da população com 50 anos ou mais. Os desfechos avaliados foram três medidas protetivas (não ter saído de casa na última semana, usar máscara quando saiu de casa e higienizar as mãos quando retornou para casa) e as variáveis explicativas foram os comportamentos em saúde (tabagismo, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, consumo de frutas e hortaliças e prática de atividade física). As associações foram avaliadas por modelos logísticos, considerando-se o ajuste por potenciais fatores de confusão. Participaram da análise 5.827 indivíduos;32,2% não saíram de casa na última semana;e entre os que saíram de casa, 97,5% usaram máscara facial e 97,3% higienizaram as mãos quando retornaram ao domicílio. A prática de atividade física nos níveis recomendados foi associada com menor chance de não sair de casa na semana anterior. Os ex-fumantes apresentaram maior chance de usar máscara e aqueles que praticavam atividade física tinham menor chance de adotar esta medida protetiva. Indivíduos com consumo de baixo risco de bebidas alcoólicas apresentaram maior chance de higienizar as mãos. Ações que visem ao aumento da adoção das medidas protetivas para o combate ao novo coronavírus devem considerar a existência de grupos vulneráveis, que podem ser identificados pela distribuição de outros comportamentos em saúde na população. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si los comportamientos saludables determinan la adopción de medidas protectoras individuales para combatir la COVID-19. Los datos se obtuvieron del iniciativa ELSI COVID-19, encuesta telefónica llevada a cabo entre los participantes del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), que incluye una muestra nacional representativa de la población con 50 años o más. Los desenlaces evaluados fueron tres medidas protectoras: no haber salido de casa en la última semana, usar mascarilla cuando se salió de casa e higienizar las manos cuando se volvió a casa. Asimismo, las variables explicativas fueron los comportamientos en salud (tabaquismo, consumo de bebidas alcohólicas, consumo de frutas y hortalizas, así como la práctica de actividad física). Las asociaciones fueron evaluadas mediante modelos logísticos, considerando el ajuste por potenciales factores de confusión. Participaron en el análisis 5.827 individuos;un 32,2% no salió de casa en la última semana, entre quienes salieron de casa un 97,5% usaron mascarilla facial y un 97,3% se higienizaron las manos, cuando regresaron al domicilio. La práctica de actividad física en los niveles recomendados estuvo asociada con una menor oportunidad de no salir de casa en la semana anterior. Los exfumadores presentaron una mayor oportunidad de usar mascarilla y aquellos que practicaban actividad física tenían una menor oportunidad de adoptar esta medida protectora. Individuos con un consumo de bajo riesgo de bebidas alcohólicas presentaron una mayor oportunidad de higienizar sus manos. Las acciones que tengan como objetivo el aumento de la adopción de medidas protectoras para combatir al nuevo coronavirus deben considerar la existencia de grupos vulnerables, que pueden ser identificados por la distribución de otros comportamientos en salud dentro de la población. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether healthy behaviours determine the adoption of individual protective measures to fight COVID-19. The data were obtained from the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative, a telephone survey conducted among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which includes a national sample representative of the population aged 50 years or older. The outcomes evaluated were three protective measures (not having left home in the past week, wearing a mask when leaving home, and sanitizing hands when returning home), and the explanatory variables were health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physical activity). The associations were evaluated by logistic models, considering adjustments for potential confounding factors. A total of 5,827 individuals participated in the analysis;32.2% did not leave home in the last week, and among those who left home, 97.5% used a face mask, and 97.3% sanitized their hands when they returned home. The practice of physical activity at the recommended levels was associated with a lower chance of not leaving home in the previous week. Ex-smokers were more likely to use a mask, and those who practised physical activity were less likely to adopt this protective measure. Individuals with low-risk alcohol consumption had a higher chance of sanitizing their hands. Actions aimed at increasing the adoption of protective measures to fight the new coronavirus should consider the existence of vulnerable groups, which can be identified by the distribution of other health behaviours in the population.

Multimorbidity and population at risk for severe COVID-19 in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging

O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir a ocorrência de multimorbidade e estimar o número de indivíduos na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais em risco para COVID-19 grave. Estudo transversal de base nacional com dados do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), conduzido em 2015-2016, com 9.412 indivíduos com 50 anos ou mais. A multimorbidade foi caracterizada como &#8805;2 condições crônicas com base em uma lista de 15 morbidades consideradas de risco para COVID-19 grave. As análises incluíram cálculo de prevalência e estimativa do número absoluto de pessoas na população em risco. Autoavaliação do estado de saúde, fragilidade e atividades básicas da vida diária foram utilizadas como marcadores da situação de saúde. Sexo, idade, região geopolítica e escolaridade foram usados como covariáveis. Cerca de 80% dos indivíduos da amostra apresentaram pelo menos alguma das morbidades avaliadas, o que representa cerca de 34 milhões de indivíduos;a multimorbidade foi referida por 52% da população em estudo, com maior proporção nas regiões Centro-oeste, Sudeste e Sul. Doenças cardiovasculares e obesidade foram as condições crônicas mais frequentes. Estima-se que 2,4 milhões de brasileiros estejam em risco grave de saúde. Desigualdades segundo a escolaridade foram observadas. O número de pessoas com 50 anos ou mais que apresentam morbidades de risco para COVID-19 grave é elevado tanto em termos relativos quanto absolutos. A estimativa apresentada é importante para planejar as estratégias de monitoramento das pessoas com morbidades crônicas e de prevenção no enfrentamento do novo coronavírus. El objetivo de este trabajo fue medir la ocurrencia de multimorbilidad y estimar el número de individuos en la población brasileña, con 50 años o más, en riesgo de COVID-19 grave. Estudio transversal de base nacional, con datos del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), llevado a cabo en 2015-2016, con 9.412 individuos con 50 años o más. La multimorbilidad se caracterizó como &#8805;2 condiciones crónicas, en base a una lista de 15 morbilidades consideradas de riesgo para COVID-19 grave. Los análisis incluyeron el cálculo de prevalencia y estimación del número absoluto de personas en la población en riesgo. La autoevaluación del estado de salud, fragilidad y actividades básicas de la vida diaria fueron utilizadas como marcadores de la situación de salud. Sexo, edad, región geopolítica y escolaridad fueron usados como covariables. Cerca de un 80% de los individuos de la muestra presentaron por lo menos alguna de las morbilidades evaluadas, lo que representa cerca de 34 millones de individuos;la multimorbilidad fue referida por un 52% de la población en estudio, con mayor proporción en las regiones Centro, Sureste y Sur. Enfermedades cardiovasculares y obesidad fueron las enfermedades crónicas más frecuentes. Se estima que 2,4 millones de brasileños están en riesgo grave de salud. Se observaron desigualdades según la escolaridad. El número de personas con 50 años o más que presentan morbilidades de riesgo para la COVID-19 grave es elevado, tanto en términos relativos, como absolutos. La estimación presentada es importante para planear las estrategias de monitoreo de las personas con morbilidades crónicas y de prevención en el combate al nuevo coronavirus. This study aimed to measure the occurrence of multimorbidity and to estimate the number of individuals in the Brazilian population 50 years or older at risk for severe COVID-19. This was a cross-sectional nationwide study based on data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted in 2015-2016, with 9,412 individuals 50 years or older. Multimorbidity was defined as &#8805;2 chronic conditions based on a list of 15 diseases considered risk conditions for severe COVID-19. The analyses included calculation of prevalence and estimation of the absolute number of persons in the population at risk. Self-rated health status, frailty, and basic activities of daily living were used as markers of health status. Sex, age, region of the country, and schooling were used as covariables. Some 80% of the sample had at least one of the target conditions, which represents some 34 million individuals. Multimorbidity was reported by 52% of the study population, with higher proportions in the Central, Southeast, and South of Brazil. Cardiovascular diseases and obesity were the most frequent chronic conditions. An estimated 2.4 million Brazilians are at serious health risk. The results revealed inequalities according to schooling. The number of persons 50 years or older who presented risk conditions for severe COVID-19 is high both in absolute and relative terms. The estimate is important for planning strategies to monitor persons with chronic conditions and for preventive strategies to deal with the novel coronavirus.

Health care seeking due to COVID-19 related symptoms and health care cancellations among older Brazilian adults: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

The continent of the Americas has the greatest number of people infected and deaths associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the world. Brazil occupies the 2nd position in numbers of infected cases and deaths, preceded only by the United States. Older adults and those with pre-existing chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to the consequences of the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has serious consequences for health services. Therefore, an assessment of the pandemic's effect on the older Brazilian population is urgently needed. The study examines the prevalence of COVID-19 related symptoms, care-seeking, and cancellation of surgery or other scheduled medical care among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over derived from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey (the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative) between late May and early June 2020. About 10.4% of older adults reported any fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing in the 30 days prior to the interview, with the highest prevalence in the North region (50%). Among individuals with symptoms, only 33.6% sought care. Individuals living in the South or Southeast regions were significantly less likely to seek care for COVID-19 related symptoms. Nearly one in six participants had to cancel scheduled surgery or other medical care;this proportion was higher among women, those with more education, and people with multiple chronic conditions. This paper is among the first to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on health care use in Brazil among older adults. Results highlight the need to adapt health care delivery (such as through telemedicine) to ensure the continuity of care as well as the urgent need for wide dissemination of information to guide the population on disease prevention measures and how to obtain healthcare when needed. El continente de las Américas tiene el mayor número de personas infectadas y muertes asociadas con el síndrome respiratorio agudo severo coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) en el mundo. El Brasil ocupa la 2ª posición en número de casos infectados y defunciones, solo precedido por los Estados Unidos. Los adultos mayores y aquellos con enfermedades crónicas preexistentes son más vulnerables a las consecuencias del virus. La epidemia de SARS-CoV-2 tiene graves consecuencias para los servicios de salud. Por lo tanto, se necesita con urgencia una evaluación del efecto de la pandemia en la población brasileña de mayor edad. El estudio examina la prevalencia de COVID-19, sus síntomas asociados, la búsqueda de cuidados, y la cancelación de cirugías -u otros cuidados médicos agendados- en una muestra nacionalmente representativa de brasileños, con una edad de 50 años o más, proveniente del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil, por sus siglas en portugués), además de una encuesta telefónica de seguimiento (la iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19) entre finales de mayo y principios de junio de 2020. Aproximadamente un 10,4% de los adultos mayores no informaron de tener fiebre, tos seca o dificultad para respirar en los 30 días previos a la entrevista, con la prevalencia más alta en la región Norte (50%). Entre los individuos con síntomas, solamente un 33,6% solicitaron asistencia. Aproximadamente 1 de cada 6 participantes tuvo que cancelar una cirugía agendada u otra intervención médica. Las personas que viven en las regiones Sur o Sudeste tuvieron significativamente menos probabilidad de buscar asistencia médica por síntomas relacionados con la COVID-19. Mujeres, así como los individuos con más educación, y pacientes con múltiples enfermedades crónicas tenían más probabilidades de que se les cancelara la asistencia médica, debido a la pandemia. Este trabajo está entre los primeros en investigar el impacto de la COVID-19 en el uso de los servicios de salud en Brasil entre adultos mayores. Los resultados resaltan la necesidad de adaptar la provisión de asistencia médica, a través de medios como la telemedicina, para superar la denegación de la asistencia necesaria, así como la imperiosa necesidad de un enfoque de salud pública más fuerte para proteger a las personas vulnerables. O continente americano apresenta o maior número de pessoas infectadas e de mortes associadas à síndrome respiratória grave do coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) no mundo. O Brasil ocupa a 2ª posição em números de casos de infectados e de óbitos, antecedido somente pelos Estados Unidos. Adultos mais velhos e aqueles com doenças crônicas preexistentes são mais vulneráveis às consequências da infecção. A epidemia do SARS-CoV-2 tem enormes consequências para os serviços de saúde. Portanto, é urgente avaliar o efeito da pandemia na população idosa brasileira. Nosso objetivo foi examinar a prevalência de sintomas da COVID-19, a busca por atenção em saúde em função destes sintomas, e o cancelamento de cirurgias, ou outros procedimentos previamente agendados, por causa da pandemia, em uma amostra representativa de brasileiros adultos com 50 anos ou mais, participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), que responderam à entrevista telefônica sobre a COVID-19 entre o final de maio e o início de junho de 2020. Entre os participantes, 10,4% informaram ter tido febre, tosse seca ou dificuldades para respirar nos 30 dias anteriores à entrevista telefônica, com maior prevalência na Região Norte (50%). Entre aqueles com qualquer um desses sintomas, somente 33,6% haviam procurado por assistência em saúde;esta proporção foi ainda menor nas regiões Sul e Sudeste. Cerca de 1 entre 6 participantes havia cancelado cirurgias ou outros procedimentos anteriormente agendados;esta proporção foi maior entre as mulheres, entre aqueles com escolaridade mais alta e entre aqueles com múltiplas doenças crônicas. Este trabalho está entre os primeiros a examinar as consequências da epidemia da COVID-19 no uso de serviços de saúde entre brasileiros mais velhos. Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de adaptação da oferta da atenção à saúde para garantir a continuidade dos cuidados necessários durante a epidemia (como telemedicina, por exemplo), bem como a necessidade urgente de ampla divulgação para orientar a população sobre a prevenção da doença e como obter atenção em saúde em caso de necessidade.

Prevalence and characteristics of Brazilians aged 50 and over that received a doctors diagnosis of COVID-19: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

Abstract: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over half a million deaths worldwide. Brazil has been particularly impacted, registering more than 1.3 million infections and 57,000 deaths by late June 2020. Aggregate numbers of cases are essential in modeling the epidemic and planning responses;however, more detailed analysis of risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are needed. Our study provides an initial examination of characteristics associated with receiving a doctor's diagnosis of COVID-19 among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over. Data are derived from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey to ELSI-Brazil participants, known as the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. The telephone survey was conducted between 26 May and 8 June 2020. Results show that about 2.4% (n = 70) of the sample reported being told by a doctor they had COVID-19, however, only about half of these individuals (n = 37) reported receiving a diagnostic confirmation from viral testing (RT-PCR). Demographic factors (aged 50-60 years), socioeconomic factors (lower household income), health-related factors (obesity, three or more chronic conditions), and geography (living in the Northern region of the country) were positively associated with reporting a COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite the descriptive and preliminary nature of these findings, results reported here suggest the need for more targeted approaches to enhance personal protection and provide greater viral testing options, especially for older, sicker and more vulnerable adults in Brazil. Resumen: El síndrome respiratorio agudo grave coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ha causado más de medio millón de muertes en todo el mundo. Brasil se ha visto particularmente afectado, registrando más de 1,3 millones de infecciones y 57.000 muertes hasta finales de junio 2020. Mientras las cifras globales del número de casos son esenciales en el modelado de la epidemia y en la planificación de respuestas, existe la necesidad de un análisis más detallado del riesgo de factores asociados con la infección de SARS-CoV-2. Este estudio proporciona un examen inicial de características asociadas, al recibir el diagnóstico de COVID-19 por parte del médico, entre una muestra representativa a nivel nacional de brasileños con 50 años o más. Los datos procedían de la segunda serie del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil) y una encuesta telefónica de seguimiento a los participantes en el ELSI-Brasil, conocida como la iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19. La encuesta telefónica fue administrada del 26 mayo al 8 junio 2020. Los resultados muestran que sobre un 2,4% (n = 70) de la muestra informó que su médico les comunicó que tenían COVID-19, pese a que solo aproximadamente la mitad de estos individuos (n = 37) informaron haber recibido un diagnóstico de confirmación con un test viral (RT-PCR). Los factores demográficos (edad entre 50-60 años), factores socioeconómicos (ingresos por hogar más bajos), factores relacionados con la salud (obesidad, tres o más enfermedades crónicas), y geografía (residentes en las regiones del norte del país) estuvieron todos positivamente asociados con un diagnóstico de COVID-19. A pesar de la naturaleza descriptiva y preliminar de estos hallazgos, los resultados obtenidos aquí sugieren la necesidad de enfoques más específicos para mejorar la protección personal y proporcionar mejores opciones de test virales, especialmente para los adultos mayores más vulnerables y más enfermos en Brasil. Resumo: A síndrome respiratória aguda grave coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) já causou mais de meio milhão de mortes em todo o mundo. O Brasil foi particularmente afetado, registrando mais de 1,3 milhão de infecções e 57 mil mortes no final de junho de 2020. Embora o número agregado de casos seja essencial na modelagem da epidemia e no planejamento de respostas sanitárias, uma análise mais detalhada dos fatores de risco associados à infecção também é necessária. Este estudo fornece uma visão inicial das características associadas ao recebimento do diagnóstico médico de COVID-19 em uma amostra nacionalmente representativa de brasileiros com 50 anos ou mais. Os dados são derivados da segunda onda do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil) e de uma pesquisa de acompanhamento por telefone aos participantes do ELSI-Brasil, conhecida como iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19. A pesquisa por telefone foi administrada entre 26 de maio e 8 de junho de 2020. Os resultados mostram que cerca de 2,4% (n = 70) dos participantes relataram ter sido informados por seu médico que tinham COVID-19, mesmo que apenas a metade desses indivíduos (n = 37) relatou ter recebido uma confirmação diagnosticada por teste viral. Fatores demográficos (idade entre 50-60 anos), fatores socioeconômicos (renda familiar mais baixa), fatores relacionados à saúde (obesidade, três ou mais condições crônicas) e geografia (viver na região norte do país) foram associados positivamente com um diagnóstico de COVID-19. Apesar da natureza descritiva e preliminar aqui descrita, os resultados sugerem a necessidade de abordagens mais direcionadas para aumentar a proteção pessoal e fornecer mais opções de teste viral, especialmente para adultos mais velhos, mais doentes e mais vulneráveis &#8203;&#8203;no Brasil.

Social distancing, use of face masks and hand washing among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a prevalência do distanciamento social, do uso de máscaras e da higienização das mãos ao sair de casa entre adultos brasileiros com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de 6.149 entrevistas telefônicas, conduzidas entre 26 de maio e 8 junho de 2020 dentre os participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil). O distanciamento social foi definido por não ter saído de casa nos últimos 7 dias. Somente 32,8% dos participantes do estudo não saíram de casa no período considerado, 36,3% saíram entre 1 e 2 vezes, 15,2% entre 3 a 5 vezes e 15,7% saíram todos os dias. As principais razões para sair de casa foram comprar remédios ou alimentos (74,2%), trabalhar (25,1%), pagar contas (24,5%), atendimento dem saúde (10,5%), fazer exercícios (6,2%) e encontrar familiares ou amigos (8,8%). Entre os que saíram de casa, 97,3% usaram sempre máscaras faciais e 97,3% sempre higienizaram as mãos. As mulheres saíram menos de casa que os homens. Esses saíram com mais frequência para trabalhar e fazer exercícios. Elas saíram mais para atendimento em saúde. Os homens (odds ratio - OR =1,84) aqueles com escolaridade mais alta (OR = 1,48 e 1,95 para 5-8 e 9 anos, respectivamente) e os residentes em áreas urbanas (OR = 1,54) saíram mais para realizar atividades essenciais, independentemente da idade e de outros fatores relevantes. Os resultados mostram baixa adesão ao distanciamento social, mas altas prevalências nos usos de máscaras e higienização das mãos. El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la prevalencia del distanciamiento social, uso de mascarillas e higienización de las manos al salir de casa entre adultos brasileños con 50 años o más de edad. Se utilizaron datos de 6.149 entrevistas telefónicas, realizadas entre el 26 de mayo y el 8 junio de 2020 entre los participantes del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil por sus siglas en portugués). El distanciamiento social fue definido por no haber salido de casa en los últimos 7 días. Solamente un 32,8% de los participantes del estudio no salieron de casa en el período considerado, 36,3% salieron entre 1 y 2 veces, 15,2% entre 3 a 5 veces y 15,7% salieron todos los días. Las principales razones para salir de casa fueron comprar medicamentos o alimentos (74,2%), trabajar (25,1%), pagar cuentas (24,5%), atención en salud (10,5%), hacer ejercicios (6,2%) y encontrar con familiares o amigos (8,8%). Entre los que salieron de casa, un 97,3% usaron siempre mascarillas faciales y un 97,3% higienizaron siempre las manos. Las mujeres salieron menos de casa que los hombres. Estos salieron con más frecuencia para trabajar y para hacer ejercicio. Ellas salieron más para la atención en salud. Los hombres (odds ratio - OR = 1,84), los con escolaridad más alta (OR = 1,48 y 1,95 para 5-8 y 9 años) y los residentes en áreas urbanas (OR = 1,54) salieron más para realizar actividades esenciales, independientemente de la edad y de otros factores relevantes. Los resultados muestran una baja adhesión al distanciamiento social, pero altas prevalencias en el uso de mascarillas e higienización de las manos. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of social distancing, the use of face masks and hand washing when leaving home among Brazilian adults aged 50 or over. Data from 6,149 telephone interviews were used, conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020 among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Social distancing was defined by not having left home in the last seven days. Only 32.8% of study participants did not leave home during the period considered, 36.3% left between one and two times, 15.2% between three and five times and 15.7% left every day. The main reasons for leaving home were to buy medicine or food (74.2%), to work (25.1%), to pay bills (24.5%), for health care (10.5%), to exercise (6.2%), and to meet family or friends (8.8%). Among those who left home, 97.3% always wore face masks and 97.3% always performed hand washing. Women left home less often than men. Men left home more often to work and exercise while women left home more often to seek healthcare. Men (odds ratio - OR = 1.84), those with higher education (OR = 1.48 and 1.95 for 5-8 and 9 years, respectively) and urban residents (OR = 1.54) left home more frequently to perform essential activities, regardless of age or other characteristics. Results show low adherence to social distancing, but high prevalence in the reported use of face masks and hand washing.

ELSI-COVID-19 initiative: methodology of the telephone survey on coronavirus in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging

The COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2) is a public health emergency of international concern that particularly affects older people. Brazil is one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, ranking second with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide as of mid-June 2020. The ELSI-COVID-19 initiative is based on telephone interviews with participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted on a nationally representative sample of the population aged 50 or older. This initiative aims to provide information on adherence to preventive measures (social distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing/hygiene);reasons for leaving the house, when that was the case;difficulties obtaining medications, medical diagnosis of COVID-19, and receipt of confirmatory results;use of health-care services (recent care-seeking, care-seeking location, care receipt, among other aspects);and mental health (sleep, depression, and loneliness). The first round of telephone interviews was conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020. The second and third rounds are expected to occur within the coming months. This article presents this initiative methodology and some sociodemographic characteristics of the 6,149 participants in the survey first round, relative the Brazilian population within the same age group. La pandemia de COVID-19, causada por el SARS-CoV-2, es una emergencia pública global, que particularmente afecta a las personas mayores. Brasil es uno de los países más perjudicados por la pandemia, ocupando el segundo puesto en el mundo, en cuanto al número de casos confirmados y muertes hasta mediados de junio 2020. La iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19 está basada en entrevistas telefónicas de participantes en el Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), realizado en una muestra nacional representativa de población con 50 años o más. Los objetivos principales de esta iniciativa son: producir información sobre la adherencia a las medidas preventivas (distanciemento social, llevar máscarillas faciales, y lavado de manos/higiene);así como las razones, cuando fuera el caso, para dejar el hogar, dificultades para conseguir medicación, diagnóstico médico de COVID-19 y recepción de test confirmatorios, uso de servicios de salud (búsqueda de cuidado recientemente, localización de la búsqueda de cuidado y recepción del mismo, entre otros aspectos);al igual que sobre salud mental (sueño, depresión y soledad). La primera ronda de entrevistas por teléfono se realizó entre el 26 de mayo y el 8 de junio de 2020. La segunda y tercera ronda de entrevistas se planificaron para que tuvieran lugar en los meses posteriores. Aquí, presentamos la metodología de esta iniciativa y algunas características sociodemográficas de los 6.149 participantes en la primera ronda de la encuesta, respecto a quienes dentro de la población brasileña estaban en el mismo rango de edad. A pandemia COVID-19 (causada pelo SARS-CoV-2) é uma emergência global de saúde pública, que afeta principalmente os mais velhos. O Brasil é um dos países mais impactados pela pandemia, ocupando o segundo lugar no mundo em número de casos confirmados e mortes em meados de junho de 2020. A iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19 é baseada em entrevistas telefônicas com participantes do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), realizado em amostra nacionalmente representativa da população com 50 anos ou mais. Os principais objetivos dessa iniciativa são produzir informação sobre a adesão às medidas preventivas (distanciamento social, uso de máscara facial e lavagem das mãos/higiene), motivos para sair de casa quando foi o caso, dificuldades na obtenção de medicamentos, diagnóstico médico de COVID-19 e recebimento de exames confirmatórios, utilização de serviços de saúde (procura recente por atendimento, local da procura e recebimento da atenção, entre outros aspectos) e saúde mental (sono, depressão e solidão). A primeira rodada de entrevistas por telefone foi realizada entre 26 de maio e 8 de junho de 2020. A segunda e a terceira rodadas de entrevistas estão planejadas para ocorrer nos próximos meses. Aqui, apresentamos a metodologia dessa iniciativa e algumas características sociodemográficas dos 6.149 participantes da primeira rodada da pesquisa em relação à população brasileira da mesma faixa etária.

Relationship between work before the epidemic and having gone out to work during the epidemic among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging: results of the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

Resumo: O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a prevalência e fatores associados a ter saído para trabalhar durante a epidemia da COVID-19, entre adultos com 50 anos ou mais que exerciam trabalho remunerado antes do seu início. Foram utilizados dados da segunda onda do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros (ELSI-Brasil), conduzida por meio de entrevista face a face, entre agosto de 2019 e março de 2020 (antes do início da epidemia), em amostra nacional representativa de adultos com 50 anos ou mais, e dados obtidos por meio de entrevistas telefônicas realizadas entre esses participantes (iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19), conduzidas entre 26 de maio e 8 de junho de 2020 (durante a epidemia). As análises foram baseadas nas odds ratios (OR) estimadas pela regressão logística. A média de idade dos participantes foi 59,9 anos (DP = 6,5). A prevalência de ter saído para trabalhar nos sete dias anteriores foi de 38,4% (IC95%: 31,3-46,1), 50,2% entre os homens e 25,1% entre as mulheres (trabalho formal, por conta própria e informal). Os resultados mostraram que, entre os homens, a chance de ter saído para trabalhar foi menor entre aqueles de 60 a 69 anos em comparação com aqueles de 50 a 59 anos (OR = 0,27;IC95%: 0,15-0,48). Entre as mulheres, a probabilidade de ter saído para trabalhar foi menor entre aquelas que trabalhavam por conta própria (OR = 0,28;IC95%: 0,12-0,64) ou tinham vínculo informal de trabalho antes da epidemia (OR = 0,25;IC95%: 0,09-0,69), em comparação àquelas com vínculo formal de trabalho. Uma das hipóteses para explicar essa associação é que as mulheres com vínculo informal tenham sido dispensadas e aquelas que trabalhavam por conta própria tenham deixado de trabalhar durante a epidemia. Resumen: El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la prevalencia y factores asociados a haber salido para trabajar durante la epidemia de la COVID-19, entre adultos con 50 años o más, que ejercían trabajo remunerado antes del inicio de la misma. Se utilizaron datos de la segunda fase del Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento (ELSI-Brasil), llevada a cabo mediante una entrevista cara a cara, entre agosto de 2019 y marzo de 2020 (antes del inicio de la epidemia), en una muestra nacional representativa de adultos con 50 años o más, y datos obtenidos por medio de entrevistas telefónicas realizadas entre estos participantes (iniciativa ELSI-COVID-19), realizadas entre el 26 de mayo y 8 de junio de 2020 (durante la epidemia). Los análisis se basaron en las odds ratios (OR) estimadas por regresión logística. La media de edad de los participantes fue 59,9 años (DP = 6,5). La prevalencia de haber salido para trabajar durante los siete días anteriores fue de un 38,4% (IC95%: 31,3-46,1), 50,2% entre hombres y un 25,1% entre las mujeres (trabajo formal, por cuenta propia e informal). Los resultados mostraron que, entre los hombres, la oportunidad de haber salido a trabajar fue menor entre aquellos con edades comprendidas entre los 60 a 69 años, en comparación con aquellos de 50 a 59 años (OR = 0,27;IC95%: 0,15-0,48). Entre las mujeres, la probabilidad de haber salido a trabajar fue menor entre aquellas que trabajaban por cuenta propia (OR = 0,28;IC95%: 0,12-0,64) o tenían un vínculo laboral informal antes de la epidemia (OR = 0,25;IC95%: 0,09-0,69), en comparación con aquellas con un vínculo laboral formal. Una de las hipótesis para explicar esta asociación es que las mujeres con un vínculo informal fueron dispensadas del servicio y aquellas que trabajaban por cuenta propia hayan dejado de trabajar durante la epidemia. Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of going out to work during the COVID-19 epidemic, and the factors associated with this, among adults aged 50 years and over who were in paid employment before its onset. We used data from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), conducted through face-to-face interviews between August 2019 and March 2020 (before the onset of the epidemic), in a representative national sample of adults aged 50 and over, and data obtained through telephone interviews carried out among the same participants (ELSI-COVID-19 initiative), conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020 (during the epidemic). The analyses were based on odds ratios (OR) estimated by logistic regression. The participants'mean age was 59.9 years (SD = 6.5). The prevalence of going out to work in the previous seven days was 38.4% (95%CI: 31.3-46.1), 50.2% among men and 25.1% among women (formal work, self-employment, and informal work). The results showed that among men, the likelihood of going out to work was lower among those aged 60 to 69 years compared to those aged 50 to 59 years (OR = 0.27;95%CI: 0.15-0.48). Among women, the likelihood was lower among those who were self-employed (OR = 0.28;95%CI: 0.12-0.64) or in informal employment before the epidemic (OR = 0.25;95%CI: 0.09-0.69), compared to those in formal employment. One of the hypotheses to explain this association is that women in informal employment were more likely to be dismissed, and that self-employed women have stopped working during the epidemic.

Protective behaviors for COVID-19 among Brazilian adults and elderly living with multimorbidity: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

Objetivou-se medir a ocorrência de comportamentos de proteção contra a COVID-19 e fatores sociodemográficos segundo a ocorrência de multimorbidade na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais de idade. Foram utilizados dados de inquérito telefônico entre participantes do ELSI-Brasil (Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros), conduzido entre maio e junho de 2020. Avaliou-se o uso de medidas de prevenção não farmacológica para COVID-19, motivos para sair de casa segundo a presença de multimorbidade e variáveis sociodemográficas. Participaram do estudo 6.149 pessoas. Multimorbidade foi mais frequente no sexo feminino, em casados, na faixa etária 50-59 anos de idade e em moradores da zona urbana. A maior parte da população saiu de casa entre uma e duas vezes na última semana, percentual que aumentou segundo o número de morbidades (22,3% sem morbidades e 38% com multimorbidade). Sair de casa todos os dias teve menor ocorrência entre indivíduos com multimorbidade (10,3%), e 9,3% saíram de casa na última semana para obter atendimento de saúde. Higienização de mãos (&gt;98%) e sempre usar máscara ao sair de casa (&gt;96%) foram hábitos quase universais. Observou-se maior adesão ao isolamento social entre as mulheres com multimorbidade quando comparadas com os homens (RP = 1,49;IC95%: 1,23-1,79);esta adesão aumentou proporcionalmente com a idade e inversamente ao nível de escolaridade. O comportamento de proteção em pessoas com multimorbidade parece ser maior em relação aos demais, embora questões relacionadas ao isolamento social e cuidado em saúde mereçam ser destacadas. Esses achados podem ser úteis na customização de estratégias de enfrentamento atual da pandemia. El objetivo fue medir la ocurrencia de comportamientos de protección contra la COVID-19 y factores sociodemográficos, según la ocurrencia de multimorbilidad, en la población brasileña con 50 años o más de edad. Se utilizaron datos de la encuesta telefónica entre participantes del ELSI-Brasil (Estudio Brasileño Longitudinal del Envejecimiento), realizado entre mayo y junio de 2020. Se evaluó el uso de medidas de prevención no farmacológica para la COVID-19, motivos para salir de casa, según la presencia de multimorbilidad y variables sociodemográficas. Participaron del estudio 6.149 personas. La multimorbilidad fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino, en casados, en la franja de edad 50-59 años de edad y en residentes de la zona urbana. La mayor parte de la población salió de casa entre una y dos veces en la última semana, porcentaje que aumentó según el número de morbilidades (22,3% sin morbilidades y 38% con multimorbilidad). Salir de casa todos los días tuvo una menor ocurrencia entre individuos con multimorbilidad (10,3%), y 9,3% salieron de casa en la última semana para obtener atención en salud. La higienización de manos (&gt;98%) y siempre usar mascarilla al salir de casa (&gt;96%) fueron hábitos casi universales. Se observó una mayor adhesión al aislamiento social entre las mujeres con multimorbilidad cuando se compararon con los hombres (RP = 1,49;IC95%: 1,23-1,79);esta adhesión aumentó proporcionalmente con la edad y fue inversamente proporcional al nivel de escolaridad. El comportamiento de protección en personas con multimorbilidad parece ser mayor respecto a los demás, a pesar de que las cuestiones relacionadas con el aislamiento social y cuidado en salud merezcan ser destacadas. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles en la personalización de estrategias de combate a la actual pandemia. To measure the occurrence of protective behaviors for COVID-19 and sociodemographic factors according to the occurrence of multimorbidity in the Brazilian population aged 50 or over was the objective of this study. We used data from telephone surveys among participants of ELSI-Brazil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging), conducted between May and June 2020. The use of non-pharmacological prevention measures for COVID-19, reasons for leaving home according to the presence of multimorbidity and sociodemographic variables were evaluated. among 6,149 individuals. Multimorbidity was more frequent in females, married, aged 50-59 years and residents of the urban area. Most of the population left home between once and twice in the last week, increasing according to the number of morbidities (22.3% no morbidities and 38% with multimorbidity). Leaving home every day was less common among individuals with multimorbidity (10.3%) and 9.3% left home in the last week to access health care. Hand hygiene (&gt;98%) and always wearing a mask when leaving home (&gt;96%) were almost universal habits. Greater adherence to social isolation was observed among women with multimorbidity when compared to men (PR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.23-1.79). This adherence increased proportionally with age and inversely with the level of education. The protective behavior in people with multimorbidity seems to be greater in relation to the others, although issues related to social isolation and health care deserve to be highlighted. These findings can be useful in customizing strategies for coping with the current pandemic.

Prevalence and characteristics of Brazilians aged 50 and over that received a doctor's diagnosis of COVID-19: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over half a million deaths worldwide. Brazil has been particularly impacted, registering more than 1.3 million infections and 57,000 deaths by late June 2020. Aggregate numbers of cases are essential in modeling the epidemic and planning responses; however, more detailed analysis of risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are needed. Our study provides an initial examination of characteristics associated with receiving a doctor's diagnosis of COVID-19 among a nationally representative sample of Brazilians aged 50 and over. Data are derived from the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) and a telephone follow-up survey to ELSI-Brazil participants, known as the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative. The telephone survey was conducted between 26 May and 8 June 2020. Results show that about 2.4% (n = 70) of the sample reported being told by a doctor they had COVID-19, however, only about half of these individuals (n = 37) reported receiving a diagnostic confirmation from viral testing (RT-PCR). Demographic factors (aged 50-60 years), socioeconomic factors (lower household income), health-related factors (obesity, three or more chronic conditions), and geography (living in the Northern region of the country) were positively associated with reporting a COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite the descriptive and preliminary nature of these findings, results reported here suggest the need for more targeted approaches to enhance personal protection and provide greater viral testing options, especially for older, sicker and more vulnerable adults in Brazil.

REVISITING HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ETHICAL, LEGAL, and SOCIAL ISSUES and EVALUATION: TELEHEALTH/TELEMEDICINE and COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Information technologies have been vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth and telemedicine services, especially, fulfilled their promise by allowing patients to receive advice and care at a distance, making it safer for all concerned. Over the preceding years, professional societies, governments, and scholars examined ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) related to telemedicine and telehealth. Primary concerns evident from reviewing this literature have been quality of care, access, consent, and privacy. OBJECTIVES: To identify and summarize ethical, legal, and social issues related to information technology in healthcare, as exemplified by telehealth and telemedicine. To expand on prior analyses and address gaps illuminated by the COVID-19 experience. To propose future research directions. METHODS: Literature was identified through searches, forward and backward citation chaining, and the author's knowledge of scholars and works in the area. EU and professional organizations' guidelines, and nineteen scholarly papers were examined and categories created to identify ethical, legal, and social issues they addressed. A synthesis matrix was developed to categorize issues addressed by each source. RESULTS: A synthesis matrix was developed and issues categorized as: quality of care, consent and autonomy, access to care and technology, legal and regulatory, clinician responsibilities, patient responsibilities, changed relationships, commercialization, policy, information needs, and evaluation, with subcategories that fleshed out each category. The literature primarily addressed quality of care, access, consent, and privacy. Other identified considerations were little discussed. These and newer concerns include: usability, tailoring services to each patient, curriculum and training, implementation, commercialization, and licensing and liability. The need for interoperability, data availability, cybersecurity, and informatics infrastructure also is more apparent. These issues are applicable to other information technologies in healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and organizations need updated guidelines for ethical use of telemedicine and telehealth care, and decision- and policy-makers need evidence to inform decisions. The variety of newly implemented telemedicine services is an on-going natural experiment presenting an unparalleled opportunity to develop an evidence-based way forward. The paper recommends evaluation using an applied ethics, context-sensitive approach that explores interactions among multiple factors and considerations. It suggests evaluation questions to investigate ethical, social, and legal issues through multi-method, sociotechnical, interpretive and ethnographic, and interactionist evaluation approaches. Such evaluation can help telehealth, and other information technologies, be integrated into healthcare ethically and effectively.

The Spread of COVID-19 in China at Its Initial Stage: A Township-Level Analysis in Association with the Built Environment (preprint)

Background: The built environment can contribute to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as well as other infectious diseases by facilitating human mobility and social contacts between infected and susceptible individuals. It can also provide a space that enables the direct transmission of pathogens to susceptible individuals. On the other hand, mobility data capturing interpersonal transmission at finegrain in large scale are not available. With the above background, we aim to assess the associations of key built environment factors, which create spaces for activities — “inferred activity” rather than “actually observed activity” — with the spread of COVID-19 in China at its initial stage. Method: In this nationwide study, we used a random forest (RF) approach to objectively assess the associations between the built environment factors and the spread of COVID-19. The spread is measured for 2 994 township-level administrative units in China by two indicators, the first of which is the ratio of cumulative infection cases (RCIC) that were confirmed until February 13, 2020 (14 days after stopping public transportation operations in all Chinese cities). The other indicator is the coefficient of variation of infection cases (CVIC) between February 6 and February 13, 2020, which reflects the policy effect in the initial stage of the spread. Accordingly, we selected 19 independent variables covering built environment attributes (e.g., urban facilities, transportation infrastructure, and land use), socioeconomic characteristics, and inter-city (from Hubei Province) population flow (PF). We also investigated the spatial agglomerations using a bivariate local indicators of spatial association (BiLISA) between the above two indicators of the spread. The data is from Amap, Resource and Environment Data Cloud Platform, Google Earth Engineer (GEE), Baidu direction lite API, Baidu Migration Production, Tencent, People's Daily, and other references.Findings: The spread of COVID-19 had obvious spatial agglomerations all across China. Clusters with both low RCIC and low CVIC at the same locations (Low-Low type) show the largest percentage, and are followed by the Low-High type. The Low-High type is more dangerous because clusters of low RCIC are surrounded by clusters with high CVIC which means that policy measures taken in the initial stage may be less effective to prevent/mitigate a rapid disease spread at these locations. The density of convenience shops, supermarkets, and shopping malls (DoCSS) along with PF were the two most important factors to RCIC, whereas PF was the most important factor to measure the policy effects (i.e., the CVIC). When the DoCSS as well as the density of road intersections (DoI), the density of gyms and sport centers (DoGSC) reach 21/km2, 72/km2, and 2/km2, respectively, positive associations of these density indicators with the RCIC become maximal and kept constant as the indicators further increase. Only after PF exceeds 75% its relationship with the RCIC starts showing a positive relationship with RCIC and the relationship keeps stable when the PF gets to 80%. For policy effects, the density of colleges and universities (DoCU) and the density of comprehensive hospitals (DoCH) had negative impacts on policy effects in the initial stage of the COVID-19 spread. Notably, when the DoCH was at less than 0.1/km2, it had a small positive trend. Accordingly, increasing betweenness centrality (BC) associated with increasing policy effect in the initial stage of COVID-19 spread before 5 000, and a reversed trend was observed after 5 000.Interpretation: First, the findings from this study do not support nationwide uniform measures against COVID-19 (e.g., lockdown and other restriction measures, or reopening of economic activities). Second, the built environment factors may be associated with mitigating or accelerating the spread of COVID-19. Third, the revealed thresholds of different built environment factors in association with the spread of COVID19 present insightful evidence on how to integrate urban and public health planning for future pandemics. Funding: This study is financially supported by two funds from Japan Science and Technology Agency. One of these funds is the J-RAPID Collaborative Research/Survey Program for Urgent Research framework which is titled, “Impacts of COVID-19 on the transport and logistics sector and countermeasures.” The other fund is the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications/Issues (ELSI) research framework, “Responsible Innovation with Conscience and Agility,” which is titled, “Overcoming Vulnerability and Restoring Social Justice in Community and Re-designing Cities by Introducing Social Distancing."Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Revisting Health Information Technology Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues and Evaluation: Telehealth/Telemedicine and COVID-19 (preprint)

Background: Information technologies have been vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth and telemedicine services, especially, fulfilled their promise by allowing patients to receive advice and care at a distance, making it safer for all concerned. Over the preceding years, professional societies, governments, and scholars examined ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) related to telemedicine and telehealth. Primary concerns evident from reviewing this literature have been quality of care, access, consent, and privacy.Objectives: To identify and summarize ethical, legal, and social issues related to information technology in healthcare, as exemplified by telehealth and telemedicine. To expand on prior analyses and address gaps illuminated by the COVID-19 experience. To propose future research directions.Methods: Literature was identified through searches, forward and backward citation chaining, and the author’s knowledge of scholars and works in the area. EU and professional organizations’ guidelines, and nineteen scholarly papers were examined and categories created to identify ethical, legal, and social issues they addressed. A synthesis matrix was developed to categorize issues addressed by each source.Results: A synthesis matrix was developed and issues categorized as: quality of care, consent and autonomy, access to care and technology, legal and regulatory, clinician responsibilities, patient responsibilities, changed relationships, commercialization, policy, information needs, and evaluation, with subcategories that fleshed out each category. The literature primarily addressed quality of care, access, consent, and privacy. Other identified considerations were little discussed. These and newer concerns include: usability, tailoring services to each patient, curriculum and training, implementation, commercialization, and licensing and liability. The need for interoperability, data availability, cybersecurity, and informatics infrastructure also is more apparent. These issues are applicable to other information technologies in healthcare.Conclusions: Clinicians and organizations need updated guidelines for ethical use of telemedicine and telehealth care, and decision- and policy-makers need evidence to inform decisions. The variety of newly implemented telemedicine services is an on-going natural experiment presenting an unparalleled opportunity to develop an evidence-based way forward. The paper recommends evaluation using an applied ethics, context-sensitive approach that explores interactions among multiple factors and considerations. It suggests evaluation questions to investigate ethical, social, and legal issues through multi-method, sociotechnical, interpretive and ethnographic, and interactionist evaluation approaches. Such evaluation can help telehealth, and other information technologies, be integrated into healthcare ethically and effectively.

BBMRI-ERIC's contributions to research and knowledge exchange on COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the European biobanking infrastructure is in a unique position to preserve valuable biological material complemented with detailed data for future research purposes. Biobanks can be either integrated into healthcare, where preservation of the biological material is a fork in clinical routine diagnostics and medical treatment processes or they can also host prospective cohorts or material related to clinical trials. The paper discussed objectives of BBMRI-ERIC, the European research infrastructure established to facilitate access to quality-defined biological materials and data for research purposes, with respect to the COVID-19 crisis: (a) to collect information on available European as well as non-European COVID-19-relevant biobanking resources in BBMRI-ERIC Directory and to facilitate access to these via BBMRI-ERIC Negotiator platform; (b) to help harmonizing guidelines on how data and biological material is to be collected to maximize utility for future research, including large-scale data processing in artificial intelligence, by participating in activities such as COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative; (c) to minimize risks for all involved parties dealing with (potentially) infectious material by developing recommendations and guidelines; (d) to provide a European-wide platform of exchange in relation to ethical, legal, and societal issues (ELSI) specific to the collection of biological material and data during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Predisposition to severe forms of COVID-19 and adherence to preventive measures: the role of social support]

This study sought to assess the adherence to preventive measures among the elderly more prone to severe forms of COVID-19, and the association and interaction with social support. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of 3,477 participants of the telephone survey of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-COVID-19 initiative), who reported going out of the home in the past week. The adherence was based on the frequency of leaving the house, the need to venture outside the home, use of masks, and sanitization of hands. Statistical analysis was based on the Poisson model with robust variance. Predisposing factors for severe forms of COVID-19 included age >=65 years, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Social support included living arrangements and social distancing during the pandemic. Approximately 46% of the participants showed higher adherence, which was positively associated with the number of predisposing factors for severe forms of COVID-19. Social support was not associated with adherence, nor was this association modified after adjustments. The conclusion drawn is that higher adherence is concentrated among the elderly with greater predisposition to severe forms of COVID-19, irrespective of social support, albeit preventive measures should be adopted by all.