Socioeconomic inequalities in COVID-19 DALYs in Scotland, 2020

ConclusionsThe direct population health impact of COVID-19 in 2020 was substantial. Despite unprecedented mitigation efforts, in Scotland, a single case in early 2020 developed to having an impact second only to ischaemic heart disease. This impact was not shared equally, and socioeconomically deprived areas were hit hardest, a result confirmed across all measures of inequality. DALY estimation on both the ongoing direct, and indirect, pandemic harms will evidence the extent of impact on overall, and inequalities in, population health.Key messagesThe population impact of COVID-19 has been highly damaging. When measured by DALYs, the population health impact of COVID-19 in Scotland, during 2020, was second only to ischaemic heart disease.The population health impact of COVID-19 has not been shared equally, a result confirmed across all measures of socioeconomic inequality.
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research