Household Energy Insecurity and COVID-19 Have Independent and Synergistic Health Effects on Vulnerable Populations

Frontiers in Public Health

Frederick A. Armah¹  Laura E. Smith²  Godfred O. Boateng³  Laura M. Phipps³ 

[1] Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana;Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States;Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovations, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States;

关键词: COVID-19;    energy insecurity;    household;    health effects;    health inequity;    vulnerable populations;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2020.609608

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Household energy insecurity (HEINS) is detrimental to the health of the poor and most vulnerable in resource-poor settings. However, this effect amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the uneven implementation of restrictions can create a synergistic burden of diseases and health risks for the most vulnerable in low- and middle-income countries, exacerbating the health equity gap. Based on existing literature, this paper develops three key arguments: (1) COVID-19 increases the health risks of energy insecurity; (2) HEINS increases the risk of spreading COVID-19; and (3) the co-occurrence of COVID-19 and HEINS will have compounding health effects. These arguments make context-specific interventions, rather than a generic global health approach without recourse to existing vulnerabilities critical in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating the effects of energy insecurity. Targeted international efforts aimed at financing and supporting resource security, effective testing, contact tracing, and the equitable distribution of vaccines and personal protective equipment have the potential to ameliorate the synergistic effects of HEINS and COVID-19 in resource-poor countries.

【 授权许可】

CC BY