Wealthy countries, according to a report published today, should expect that the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 will still continue for another two decades. This report examines the negative effects of the pandemic on public health and the economies of these countries.
Negative impacts of the pandemic on health and social behaviors
During the pandemic, smoking rates, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy eating habits increased, and the needs of individuals with chronic illnesses were affected. These factors continue to exert pressure on the economic and health systems of developed countries. According to this report, these countries still face serious challenges stemming from the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19.
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Likelihood of a new pandemic and the need for preventive measures
Moreover, wealthy countries face a 50 percent chance of encountering a similar pandemic in the next 25 years. This report emphasizes the necessity of swift action to prevent the catastrophic economic and health effects of such outbreaks. From 2020 to May 2023, nearly seven million people lost their lives due to COVID-19, and the global economy shrank by nearly four percent in 2020 compared to the previous year. This decline is similar to the economic recession of 2008.
The authors of this report also modeled the outbreak of viruses such as Ebola, avian influenza, type A influenza, coronavirus, and measles to put pressure on health and economic systems. Without treatment or vaccines, estimates suggest that in the first nine months of an outbreak similar to COVID-19, one percent of the population may die, and in an outbreak similar to influenza, more than five percent may perish.
This report also predicts that GDP could decrease by 2.7 percent in the event of an outbreak of a virus similar to COVID-19, and this decrease could reach 16.2 percent in the case of an outbreak of a virus similar to measles.
According to this report, the transportation, manufacturing, and administrative and support services sectors have been identified as the economic sectors that would suffer the most damage from such outbreaks. Therefore, taking early preventive measures in public health, such as hand washing, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance, is crucial for saving lives and preserving the economy.
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