Health inequalities: research and policy
COVID-19 has brought the drivers behind health inequality into sharp focus. But are there resources available to meet research and policy needs?
The impacts of COVID-19 on mental health remain unclear. Initial research suggests disproportional impact on children, young people and those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
Data so far show mixed results according to their method and research population of interest, but indicate a strong signal that those with a pre-existing mental health condition are likely to have worse outcomes than those who did not. There is also evidence that children and young people have been disproportionately affected by the non-pharmaceutical interventions put in place to reduce transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 viru
Data collection and research to examine the impact of COVID-19 on population mental health began early in 2020. This occurred through both existing and new population-level and cohort surveys (cross-sectional and longitudinal) by national agencies1 (notably the Office for National Statistics2), research bodies and the third sector.3,4 Mental health research was already a strategic focus within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI),5,6 with COVID-19 now a focus for new projects. Similarly, mental health charities that commission and use research have also responded with new projects about the impacts of the pandemic.7
Other research seeks to understand the implications of having had COVID-19 on mental health;8 assessing the psychological impacts of quarantine measures and how these might be mitigated9 and the differential impact of the pandemic on certain groups.10,11,12 These include groups characterised by geography, gender, age, ethnicity and occupation. Data so far show mixed results according to their method and research population of interest, but indicate a strong signal that those with a pre-existing mental health condition are likely to have worse outcomes than those who did not. There is also evidence that children and young people have been disproportionately affected by the non-pharmaceutical interventions put in place to reduce transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.13,14,15
Social isolation and loneliness are ongoing areas of concern affecting vulnerable people and the elderly, with concern that these have been, and continue to be, exacerbated by shielding and other restrictions on daily life. The impact of changing and increased demand on mental health services because of the pandemic is a significant issue, coinciding with a need to deliver services in a different way.16 This is in addition to NHS workforce challenges, with staff absent through illness, self-isolation requirements, caring responsibilities and redeployment. Research on interventions that can promote good mental health and resilience is also in progress, to identify effective approaches.17 These themes highlight the challenges for policy-makers in both the short- and long-term.
The long-term impacts of COVID-19 on mental health are unclear but have focused attention on the wider social determinants driving inequalities across physical and mental health. The extent to which the experiences of the pandemic may have created opportunities for, or actually, improved mental health for some are unclear and, if so, whether any positive benefits are also characterised by inequality.
Research indicates that mental health impacts have already resulted, data on the longer-term picture are less clear.
Photo by Avrielle Suleiman on Unsplash
COVID-19 has brought the drivers behind health inequality into sharp focus. But are there resources available to meet research and policy needs?
COVID-19 has renewed attention on unfair and avoidable health differences across the population. But it remains unclear how the pandemic might inform public health policy.
Flexible working could increase wellbeing and productivity, but benefits are not equally distributed throughout the population and could increase inequalities.