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Home / Publications / The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A syndemic perspective

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A syndemic perspective

  • Authors: Inês Fronteira, Mohsin Sidat, João Paulo Magalhães, Fernando Passos Cupertino de Barros, António Pedro Delgado, Tiago Correia, Cláudio Tadeu Daniel-Ribeiro, Paulo Ferrinho
  • Publication Year: 2021
  • Journal: One Health, vol 12, art 100228
  • Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100228

ABSTRACT

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected communities, populations, and countries throughout the world. As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic developed, the extent to which the disease interacted with already existing endemic, non-communicable and infectious diseases became evident, hence deeply influencing health outcomes. Additionally, a synergistic effect has been demonstrated also with socio-economic, cultural, and contextual determinants of health which seem to contribute to poorer health and accumulating social disadvantages.

In this essay, using as a starting point the syndemic theory that translates the cumulative and intertwined factors between different epidemics, we argue that the SARS-CoV-2 is a one health issue of a syndemic nature and that the failure to acknowledge this contributes to weakened policy-making processes and public health responses and ineffective health policies and programs.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• COVID-19 is a one health issue.
• COVID-19 has a syndemic nature.
• Syndemic- informed approaches can lead to impactful multilevel prevention strategies.
• Reducing limits between diseases, human and animal health encourage integrated, SDG-aligned approaches to planetary healths.

 

KEYWORDS

COVID-19; Health in all policies; One health; SARS-CoV-2; Syndemic.

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About GHTM

GHTM is a R&D Unit that brings together researchers with a track record in Tropical Medicine and International & Global Health. It aims at strengthening Portugal's role as a leading partner in the development and implementation of a global health research agenda. Our evidence-based interventions contribute to the promotion of equity in health and to improve the health of populations.

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