A Syndemic Perspective on the Management of Non-communicable Diseases Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Uday Narayan Yadav; Uday Narayan Yadav; Binod Rayamajhee; Binod Rayamajhee; Sabuj Kanti Mistry; Sabuj Kanti Mistry; Shradha S. Parsekar; Shyam Kumar Mishra; Shyam Kumar Mishra

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00508

Frontiers in Public Health (Sep 2020)

A Syndemic Perspective on the Management of Non-communicable Diseases Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Uday Narayan Yadav,
Uday Narayan Yadav,
Binod Rayamajhee,
Binod Rayamajhee,
Sabuj Kanti Mistry,
Sabuj Kanti Mistry,
Shradha S. Parsekar,
Shyam Kumar Mishra,
Shyam Kumar Mishra

Affiliations

Uday Narayan Yadav: Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
Uday Narayan Yadav: Forum for Health Research and Development, Dharan, Nepal
Binod Rayamajhee: School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Binod Rayamajhee: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Kathmandu Research Institute for Biological Sciences (KRIBS), Lalitpur, Nepal
Sabuj Kanti Mistry: Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sabuj Kanti Mistry: James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Shradha S. Parsekar: Public Health Evidence South Asia, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
Shyam Kumar Mishra: School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Shyam Kumar Mishra: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00508
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8

Abstract

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The global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected the lives of people living with non-communicable diseases (PLWNCDs). The health of PLWNCDs worsens when synergistic epidemics or “syndemics” occur due to the interaction between socioecological and biological factors, resulting in adverse outcomes. These interactions can affect the physical, emotional, and social well-being of PLWNCDs. In this paper, we discuss the effects of the COVID-19 syndemic on PLWNCDs, particularly how it has exposed them to NCD risk factors and disrupted essential public health services. We conclude by reflecting on strategies and policies that deal with the COVID-19 syndemic among PLWNCDs in low- and middle-income countries.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health

ISSN: 2296-2565 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health

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