COVID-19 Rehabilitation in Vulnerable Populations
Introduction[edit | edit source]
COVID-19 poses a severe threat to all communities, but refugees/displaced people and those living in low-income areas face even greater challenges[1]
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees found that in 2018, over 70.8 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced, which is the highest figure of population displacement ever recorded.[2] 41.3 million of these individuals were internally displaced people (ie they remain within their country’s borders), 3.5 million were asylum seekers (ie have crossed international borders but are awaiting decisions to determine their refugee status) and 25.9 million were refugees (ie have fled their home, but been granted refugee status in another country).[2]
Because of their past experiences, these individuals often present with various complex health issues[2] and have a greater prevalence of comorbidities, including both non-communicable and communicable diseases.[3] However, they generally face administrative, financial, legal and language barriers which impact on their ability to access health services.[4]
Moreover, they are often living in camps or camp-like settings where living conditions are inadequate. They are:
- Often overcrowded
- Lack basic amenities, including clean running water and soap
- Have insufficient access to healthcare professionals and poor access to health information[2]
Thus, basic prevention measures like social distancing, hand hygiene and self isolation are more difficult to implement in these settings.[4] These individuals may, therefore, be more heavily impacted by COVID-19.[3]
It is important to note that while these groups are more vulnerable to COVID-19, evidence suggests that they have a low risk of transmitting communicable diseases to host countries[4] as they are effectively isolated from the wider community.[5] Aid workers who visit the camps are the most likely vectors for transmission of COVID-19 into camps.[5] The World Health Organisation highlights the importance of communicating to communities that migrants and refugees do not pose increased risk in comparison to other travellers, but they are more vulnerable and need additional support, particularly in relation to preventive and care services.[6]
- ↑ Dahab M, van Zandvoort K, Flasche S, Warsame A, Spiegel PB, Waldman RJ et al. COVID-19 control in low-income settings and displaced populations: what can realistically be done? London: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 2020. Available from https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2020/covid-19-control-low-income-settings-and-displaced-populations-what-can
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Landry MD, van Wijchen J, Jalovcic D, Boström C, Pettersson A, Nordheim Alme M. Refugees and rehabilitation: our fight against the “globalization of indifference". Achileves of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020; 101(1): 168-70.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Favas C. Guidance for the prevention of COVID-19 infections among high-risk individuals in camps and camp-like settings. London: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Health and Humanitarian Crisis Centre; 2020. 15 p.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kluge HHP, Jakab Z, Bartovic J, D’Anna V, Severoni S. Refugee and migrant health in the COVID-19 response. The Lancet. 2020; 395: 1237-9.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vince G. The world’s largest refugee camp prepares for covid-19. BMJ. 2020; 386: m1205.
- ↑ World Health Organisation.Measures against COVID-19 need to include refugees and migrants. Available from https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/news/news/2020/3/measures-against-covid-19-need-to-include-refugees-and-migrants (accessed 30 June 2020).
