Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Corresponding author at: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Muhammad Yousaf Shad
Department of Statistics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Osman Ulvi
Department of Public Health & Prevention Sciences, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH, USA
Modasser Hossain Khan
Center for Natural Resources Studies, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ajlina Karamehic-Muratovic
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, St Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
Uyen-Sa D.T. Nguyen
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Mahdi Baghbanzadeh
Data analytics division, Zarrin Jam Marina, Tehran, Iran
Robert Wardrup
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Nasrin Aghamohammadi
Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Diana Cervantes
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Kh. Md Nahiduzzaman
Faculty of Applied Science, School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia (UBC), Okanagan, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki
Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ubydul Haque
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Globalization has altered the way we live and earn a livelihood. Consequently, trade and travel have been recognized as significant determinants of the spread of disease. Additionally, the rise in urbanization and the closer integration of the world economy have facilitated global interconnectedness. Therefore, globalization has emerged as an essential mechanism of disease transmission. This paper aims to examine the potential impact of COVID-19 on globalization and global health in terms of mobility, trade, travel, and countries most impacted.The effect of globalization were operationalized in terms of mobility, economy, and healthcare systems. The mobility of individuals and its magnitude was assessed using airline and seaport trade data and travel information. The economic impact was measured based on the workforce, event cancellations, food and agriculture, academic institutions, and supply chain. The healthcare capacity was assessed by considering healthcare system indicators and preparedness of countries. Utilizing a technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), we calculated a pandemic vulnerability index (PVI) by creating a quantitative measure of the potential global health. The pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on the world economy, healthcare, and globalization through travel, events cancellation, employment workforce, food chain, academia, and healthcare capacity. Based on PVI results, certain countries were more vulnerable than others. In Africa, more vulnerable countries included South Africa and Egypt; in Europe, they were Russia, Germany, and Italy; in Asia and Oceania, they were India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey; and for the Americas, they were Brazil, USA, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. The impact on mobility, economy, and healthcare systems has only started to manifest. The findings of this study may help in the planning and implementation of strategies at the country level to help ease this emerging burden.
