COVID-19 pandemic: The impact on vulnerable children and young people in Australia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Equity
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted essential services and social supports for all children and young people (CYP).
• Vulnerable CYP populations, already facing health disparities, experience amplified negative impacts, widening pre-existing inequities.
• Challenges include reduced access to services, financial instability, and unemployment, threatening CYP well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify reasons for CYP vulnerability during the pandemic.
• To highlight actions by health professionals to mitigate challenges faced by vulnerable CYP.
• To inform policy and practice for improved health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Rapid literature review.
• Team-based discussions.
• Identification of eight vulnerable CYP groups.

Main Results:

• Eight vulnerable groups identified: CYP with disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic diseases; those facing financial hardship; in the child protection system; Aboriginal, migrant, and refugee CYP; those in residential care; and rural and isolated CYP.
• Pre-existing inequities are exacerbated by the pandemic's systemic disruptions.
• Urgent need for enhanced access to health and social supports for vulnerable CYP.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic presents an opportunity to address and reduce inequities affecting CYP.
• Governments, health professionals, and researchers must prioritize vulnerable CYP in health system recovery and policy.
• Elevating the voices of CYP is essential in designing effective pandemic response strategies and ensuring improved health outcomes during and beyond the pandemic.