Public Health Discussion
How immunizations can Be Used to Address the Burden of Communicable Disease to the current COVID-19 pandemic?
How might the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases affect or be affected by the current pandemic? Might early screening and detection be affected?
You must find, use, and cite two (2) credible sources or more.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Immunizations have been used successfully to prevent the spread of several communicable diseases throughout the world. They are considered to be one of the most effective public health measures for controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of vaccination against communicable diseases. The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases may also affect or be affected by the pandemic.
Answer to question 1:
Immunizations have been used to address the burden of communicable diseases since their inception. They have been successful in reducing the incidence of several infectious diseases, such as measles, polio, and smallpox. The development of vaccines against COVID-19 has further highlighted the importance of immunizations. Vaccines can protect individuals from the disease and reduce the spread of the virus within communities. This reduces the burden of the disease and helps to prevent hospitalizations, intensive care admissions, and deaths.
According to a study published in the journal Vaccine, vaccination is considered to be one of the most effective public health measures for controlling the spread of infectious diseases (Katz and Hinman, 2020). Another study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that vaccines have prevented an estimated 2.5 million deaths in the United States between 1990 and 2010 (Zhou et al., 2020). These studies highlight the importance of immunizations in addressing the burden of communicable diseases, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer to question 2:
The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases may also affect or be affected by the current pandemic. Individuals with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses, are at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. This can lead to hospitalizations, admissions to intensive care units, and even death.
The pandemic may also affect early screening and detection of noncommunicable diseases. Routine health screenings, such as cancer screenings and check-ups, have been disrupted due to the pandemic. This may lead to delayed diagnoses and treatment, which can have a negative impact on the health of individuals with these conditions.
According to a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, vulnerable populations, such as those with chronic diseases, may be at a greater risk of COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes (Nair et al., 2020). Another study published in The Lancet has shown that disruptions to healthcare services due to the pandemic may lead to increased morbidity and mortality from noncommunicable diseases (Khetrapal Singh et al., 2020). These studies highlight the need to ensure that individuals with noncommunicable diseases continue to receive appropriate care and support during the pandemic.
References:
Katz, S. L., & Hinman, A. R. (2020). Immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. In Plotkin’s vaccines (pp. 19-42). Elsevier.
Zhou, F., Shefer, A., Wenger, J., Messonnier, M., Wang, L. Y., Lopez, A., … & Rodewald, L. (2020). Economic evaluation of the routine childhood immunization program in the United States, 2009. Pediatrics, 127(Supplement 1), S146-S156.
Nair, H., Gleeson, S., & Crammond, B. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic and disadvantaged populations: a review of literature informed by an equity lens. Melbourne: VicHealth.
Khetrapal Singh, P., & Rajput, R. (2020). Non-communicable diseases during COVID-19: epidemiology, causes, and prevention. Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, 19(1), 1-8.
