Good Lifestyle

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large part of the focus on how highly infectious and potentially fatal virus damages your health has focused on physical aspects. However, according to the researchers, there is another way Coronavirus can be devastating your health for many years to come, even if you are never infected with it.

A newto studydirected by Yale Public Health School published in the journalActs of the National Academy of Sciencesfound thatThe effects of modifying the life of the coronavirus pandemic may result in aConsequences of long-term physical and mental health for many people-Parrect those of vulnerable populations.

Which will be the most affected

A research team, led by Assistant Professor Sarah Lowe and her colleagues, studied how Hurricane Katrina has affected a group of low-income women in New Orleans. Following the experience, women reported a range of trauma, similar to those that occur now during the pandemic - including mourning, lack of access to medical care and the shortage of drugs.

"Although the Pandemic of Covid-19 is unprecedented in its scale and its scope, it shares several overlapping features with other disasters that we have seen in recent decades," explains Lowe to eat this, not that ! Health. "Our study aimed to better understand the potential impacts on the long-term mental health of the pandemic by examining how a range of experiences at Hurricane Katrina predicted the results of mental and physical health 1, 4 and 12 years After this catastrophe. "

Researchers have found that "the breathing, fear of the safety and security of loved ones and disrupted medicines and medical care" were among the most consistent predictors of short and long-term health outcomes, Even more than home and other property damage and control pre-existing health conditions and socio-demographic indicators.

"This suggests that we can expect the pandemic to have sustainable effects on mental health, especially among those who have lost a loved one, have had difficulty accessing medicines and medical care and living levels. high anxiety and fear, "she continues.

The first steps towards a healing

In addition to preventing the propagation of the virus, there are a variety of things that can be done to help potential mental health implications, urge the reduction.

On the one hand, "crawling ways to reduce barriers to medical care and medicines, including issuing telemedicine and drugs," she says. "These services should be available at low cost and / or covered by insurance when possible."

According toEthan J Raker, PhD, Candidate in sociology, part of the Lowe research team, it's absolutely crucial. "It must be a consideration as hospitals are beginning to reopen and start the recovery of elective care," he says. "It is essential to make them safe and develop an effective messaging of public health officials only if there is an emergency, Americans should not be afraid of going to the hospital for care."

He points out that just a few months a few months ago, likereported by YaleAnd others, there was a sharp decrease in the number of people who arrive for heart attacks and traits. "Our research testifies to ensure that people do not worry about taking care of these acute problems and emergencies."

How to help yourself and others

Emphasis should be placed on the management of subclinical fears and anxiety. "The first step here is to recognize what we feel, rather than trying to deny or distract from these emotions," she says. "Once we recognize and accept what we feel, we can then start regulating these emotions." The next step is sorted by anxious triggers that we can control compared to those we can not. "For example, we can do things to reduce our exposure to the virus following the guidelines set out by the CDC and other entities. We can also donate those who need them, to participate in volunteering, to contact Our local and national leaders and vote in the next elections. "

Obviously,There are things we can not control - including what other people do, how long the pandemic will last if the virus will transform, etc. What we can do, however, is from the development of the management of these triggers, using other strategies, such as full consciousness, cognitive reassessment and engagement in pleasant activities. "At the societal level, public health messenger can help people engage in these steps," says Lowe.

And finally, we should focus on the supply of mental health services for those who suffer from fear, anxiety or other clinically significant psychiatric symptoms. "Once again, these should be inexpensive and covered by insurance as far as possible, and flexible," Lowe points out. "It has been great to see so many providers increase their web-based services. There is also a crowd of Free services available , including telephone lines. "

And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss these Things you should never do during the coronavirus pandemic .