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Respiratory epidemics and older people
Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy1, Ravinder Mamtani1, Marco Ameduri2
1Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
Age and Ageing
|August 29, 2020
Summary
Older adults are disproportionately affected by respiratory epidemics like COVID-19. Past epidemics were forgotten, leading to inadequate preparedness and increased mortality among seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have disproportionately impacted older populations.
- Historical coronavirus epidemics were short-lived, leading to a lack of public health system memory and preparedness for future events.
- Complacency regarding the vulnerability of older adults to respiratory epidemics has contributed to significant mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic, biological, behavioral, social, and healthcare-related determinants increasing older adults' vulnerability to respiratory epidemics.
- To highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate epidemic impacts on older populations.
- To advocate for intersectoral programs that address the specific needs of older people, including those in care homes.
Main Methods:
- Commentary synthesizing existing knowledge on risk factors for older adults during respiratory epidemics.
- Analysis of determinants contributing to increased susceptibility and mortality in older populations.
- Consideration of variations in determinants between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries.
Main Results:
- Multiple determinants (demographic, biological, behavioral, social, healthcare) exacerbate risks for older adults during respiratory epidemics.
- Vulnerability factors and their impact vary across different socioeconomic contexts.
- Past failures to learn from previous epidemics have compromised the health and dignity of older people.
Conclusions:
- Urgent, intersectoral action is required to protect older adults during epidemics, recognizing their unique needs and contexts.
- Programs must be developed and implemented with the full participation of older adults to ensure effectiveness and respect.
- Maintaining an age-friendly society is crucial for safeguarding the well-being and rights of older people globally.
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