COVID最新文献

{"title":"Association between Priority Conditions and Access to Care, Treatment of an Ongoing Condition, and Ability to Obtain Prescription Medications among Medicare Beneficiaries during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Matthew C. Dickson, Grant H. Skrepnek","doi":"10.3390/covid4010002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4010002","url":null,"abstract":"Several comorbid conditions have been observed to be associated with an increased risk of poor outcomes following a diagnosis of COVID-19. The purpose of this investigation was to assess associations between Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) designated priority conditions and an inability to access care, treat ongoing conditions, and obtain prescription medications among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationally representative CMS Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) COVID-19 Supplement Public Use Files (PUF) were analyzed via bivariable, binomial generalized linear models across three time periods: (1) Summer 2020; (2) Fall 2020; and (3) Winter 2021. Across an estimated 55.3–57.4 million Medicare beneficiaries, approximately one-fifth reported an inability to access at least one type of care at the onset of the pandemic. Significantly worse odds of an ability to get care across various time periods was observed among several priority conditions including immune disorders, cancer, depression, osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, and numerous cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. Among those reporting an inability to access care, approximately one-third involved treatment of an ongoing condition, and under one-tenth involved prescription medications. To identify modifiable risk factors and to develop active interventions, future work should continue to assess the complex associations between outcomes, access to care, comorbidities, evolving healthcare infrastructures, computerization, and various public health initiatives.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"16 36","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139168997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Video Games and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Virtual Worlds as New Playgrounds and Training Spaces","authors":"Xosé Somoza Medina, Marta Somoza Medina","doi":"10.3390/covid4010001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4010001","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic forced the authorities to take an unprecedented measure in history: the house confinement of millions of people worldwide. Video games, especially open-world video games (OWVGs), became meeting spaces, a digital places to play, chat, learn and socialize due to the context of the health crisis, respecting the rules of social distancing. This article analyses the role of video games and, more specifically, OWVGs, as playgrounds and training spaces during the pandemic. Statistical data and analyses carried out by consulting companies and civil associations show the definitive insertion of these video games in our routine and social relations. The challenge is to take advantage of the skills and abilities that these video games develop within a new framework of individual and community learning. The conclusions of the research show that the virtual worlds of video games are for the new digital society, safe and comfortable meeting spaces, and that since the confinement, these digital places have greatly expanded their reach, previously only limited to the gamer community.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 25","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138963324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analytical Solution of the Susceptible-Infected-Recovered/Removed Model for the Not-Too-Late Temporal Evolution of Epidemics for General Time-Dependent Recovery and Infection Rates","authors":"Reinhard Schlickeiser, Martin Kröger","doi":"10.3390/covid3120123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3120123","url":null,"abstract":"The dynamical equations of the susceptible-infected-recovered/removed (SIR) epidemics model play an important role in predicting and/or analyzing the temporal evolution of epidemic outbreaks. Crucial input quantities are the time-dependent infection (a(t)) and recovery (μ(t)) rates regulating the transitions between the compartments S→I and I→R, respectively. Accurate analytical approximations for the temporal dependence of the rate of new infections J˚(t)=a(t)S(t)I(t) and the corresponding cumulative fraction of new infections J(t)=J(t0)+∫t0tdxJ˚(x) are available in the literature for either stationary infection and recovery rates or for a stationary value of the ratio k(t)=μ(t)/a(t). Here, a new and original accurate analytical approximation is derived for general, arbitrary, and different temporal dependencies of the infection and recovery rates, which is valid for not-too-late times after the start of the infection when the cumulative fraction J(t)≪1 is much less than unity. The comparison of the analytical approximation with the exact numerical solution of the SIR equations for different illustrative examples proves the accuracy of the analytical approach.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"15 s1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138967541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Two Sides of the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Ravinder Kumar, Vartika Srivastava, K. Nand","doi":"10.3390/covid3120121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3120121","url":null,"abstract":"On 5 May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the end of the coronavirus disease-19 (or COVID-19) pandemic. Even before the official announcement from the WHO, signs of recovery from the pandemic started appearing, especially after rapid worldwide vaccination. As society is getting back to its usual with each passing day, with the increasing socio-economic activities, discussion of the negative and positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic remain the predominant topic of debate. Through this review, we discuss the bright side of the pandemic without undermining the pain and suffering everyone has gone through in this pandemic. The review also examined the painful side of the pandemic. Therefore, this review can be looked at as a comparison between this pandemic’s positive and negative effects. The review discussed aspects ranging from technological development, including mRNA-based vaccines, artificial intelligence-based screening, and telemedicine, to social behavior, from individual to global and from health to the environment. The review also examined the areas needing more attention for managing future pandemics. The review also highlighted what should be followed or continued for our preparedness for any possible pandemic. Toward the end, we also discussed how this pandemic has better prepared the world for future pandemics, as predicted by experts.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138602979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analyzing County-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Texas: A New Lindley Regression Model","authors":"Nicollas S. S. da Costa, Maria do Carmo S. de Lima, G. Cordeiro","doi":"10.3390/covid3120122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3120122","url":null,"abstract":"This work aims to study the factors that explain the COVID-19 vaccination rate through a generalized odd log-logistic Lindley regression model with a shape systematic component. To accomplish this, a dataset of the vaccination rate of 254 counties in the state of Texas, US, was used, and simulations were performed to investigate the accuracy of the maximum likelihood estimators in the proposed regression model. The mathematical properties investigated provide important information about the characteristics of the distribution. Diagnostic analysis and deviance residuals are addressed to examine the fit of the model. The proposed model shows effectiveness in identifying the key variables of COVID-19 vaccination rates at the county level, which can contribute to improving vaccination campaigns. Moreover, the findings corroborate with prior studies, and the new distribution is a suitable alternative model for future works on different datasets.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"1 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138603963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incorporating Virtual Problem-Based Learning in Instrumental Chemistry during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Xiaoping Li, Ying Guo, Simon M. Mwongela, Michael Kirberger","doi":"10.3390/covid3120120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3120120","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic has presented substantial challenges to higher education, leading to economic loss and disruptions in STEM courses. This study addresses these issues through the successful implementation of a problem-based learning research project within the Instrumental Chemistry course at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). Focused on instrumental chemistry, the project spans various categories, requiring students to propose solutions to real-case scenarios using specific analytical instruments. Despite the shift to a hybrid teaching modality, students exhibited commendable preparation and investigation skills, as demonstrated by their projects. Assessment data, including a student survey and written report evaluations, underscore significant skill improvements in literature survey, instrument selection, experimental design, and data analysis. This problem-based learning approach not only mitigated the disruptions caused by the pandemic but also fostered enhanced capabilities and motivation among students. The study’s findings contribute insights into the adaptability and effectiveness of problem-based learning in analytical chemistry education within a hybrid teaching framework, offering valuable considerations for future educational strategies in STEM disciplines and beyond.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"129 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139212777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eating Habits and Mental Health of College Students in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Tomoko Imoto, Yuichiro Hoshino, Yoshiyuki Sato, Yusuke Ohsaki, Hitoshi Shirakawa","doi":"10.3390/covid3120119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3120119","url":null,"abstract":"While the relationship between eating habits and mental health has been widely studied, there is limited research focusing on college students during emergency situations such as pandemics. We conducted an online questionnaire survey to address this gap. Clustering analysis was applied to identify students’ eating habits, which are possibly more complex than traditional eating habits. Based on the identified eating habits, the students were separated into five groups. We evaluated the relationship between eating habits and mental health in these five groups using University Personality Inventory scores. Based on the results, the largest group—corresponding to slightly less than half of the participants—had the highest vegetable intake and mental health levels. This aligns with findings from numerous prior studies. However, our novel discovery was the presence of another group within those with higher vegetable intake, who had lower levels of mental health. Conversely, a group with lower vegetable intake had higher levels of mental health; remarkably, students in this group frequently consumed soft drinks, suggesting that, during the COVID-19 emergency, indulgent food and drinks may have played a role in enhancing mental health.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"355 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139235472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between BMI and COVID-19","authors":"Patrícia Coelho, Manuel Martins, Catarina Gavinhos, Joana Liberal, Ema Cabral, Inês Ribeiro, Francisco Rodrigues","doi":"10.3390/covid3110117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3110117","url":null,"abstract":"Body mass index has been studied as one of the factors that negatively influences COVID-19. In this work, we intend to analyze this influence. A representative sample of the population of Beira Interior was used (around 2%), on which immunity research and a socio-demographic survey were carried out. It was found that obesity influences the vaccination rate, and that all other variables analyzed were not influenced by body mass index.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139260476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand","authors":"Vili Nosa, John Sluyter, Atefeh Kiadarbandsari, Malakai Ofanoa, Maryann Heather, Fuafiva Fa’alau, Ravi Reddy","doi":"10.3390/covid3110116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3110116","url":null,"abstract":"Background: New Zealand was one of the first countries to adopt an elimination strategy based on a four-tier Alert Level system that included strict lockdowns at levels three and four. The lockdowns meant shutting out external social networks and being confining to individual household ‘bubbles’ only. This presented challenges for minority Pasifika communities in New Zealand as their cultural values are based on social bonding, interconnectedness, community engagement and caring for each other. The aim of this research was to conduct a small-scale pilot study to test and refine the study design and identify the major challenges faced by Pasifika communities in relation to accessing health, social and mental services while in lockdown. Methods: This exploratory study was designed using an online anonymous questionnaire survey targeting people who identified as Pasifika. A total of eighty-seven respondents were included in our analyses following the questionnaire survey. Results: Five main barriers to accessing health, social and mental health services during lockdowns were identified; (1) unavailability of or limited services; (2) fear of contracting the virus; (3) perception of high costs associated with seeking medical assistance; (4) transportation difficulties; and (5) lack of time. Almost a quarter of the respondents reported losing their jobs, 80% indicated a decline in their household income and more than half experienced some form of psychosocial distress while in lockdown. Conclusions: The findings of this research highlight existing challenges faced by Pasifika communities in adequately accessing essential services. Future research can focus on the key barriers to access identified in this research to gain a deeper understanding of services and its interaction with Pasifika communities during lockdowns.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"105 14","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135137389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Netherlands on Primary Healthcare Use and Clinical Outcomes in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes","authors":"Jesse M. van den Berg, Marieke T. Blom, Karin M. A. Swart, Jetty A. Overbeek, S. Remmelzwaal, Petra J. M. Elders, Ron M. C. Herings","doi":"10.3390/covid3110115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid3110115","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare systems worldwide, including the postponing or canceling of appointments and procedures for type 2 diabetes (T2D) care by general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary healthcare use and clinical measurements for people with T2D. Additionally, we aimed to determine if changes were observed among specific risk groups: (1) persons 70 years or older, or below 70 years, (2) patients who were meeting their HbA1c targets and those who were not, and (3) patients with high-risk and non-high-risk T2D. This retrospective cohort study among persons with T2D was conducted using data from the DIAbetes MANagement and Treatment (DIAMANT) data infrastructure, deriving data from electronic medical records of Dutch GPs. The study assessed GP visit counts, and counts and values of clinical measurements, including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Adjusted negative binomial (NB) regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) models were used to estimate GP visit counts and population averages of clinical measurements, respectively, comparing 2019 (pre-pandemic) with 2020 (during the pandemic). Changes in specific groups were examined by stratifying outcomes for the aforementioned subgroups. The cohort consisted of 182,048 patients with T2D (47% female, mean age 69 ± 13 years) on 1 March 2019, of which 168,097 persons (92%) still contributed follow-up data in 2020. We observed an increase in total GP visits in 2020, with an adjusted rate ratio (RR) of 1.09 (95% CI 1.08–1.09). The frequency increased for office visits (RR 1.06; 1.06–1.07) and phone calls (RR 1.33; 1.31–1.35) but remained stable for home visits (RR 1.02; 0.99–1.04). On both population and individual levels, HbA1c values increased in 2020 by 1.65 (1.59–1.70) mmol/mol compared to 2019. Observed changes in 2020 for BMI, LDL, and SBP values were also statistically significant but small. Subgroup stratifications showed higher scores of all clinical measurements in younger persons (<70 years), those who met their HbA1c target, and non-high-risk T2D patients than their respective high-risk subgroups. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, changes in primary healthcare use were observed among persons with T2D, with an increase in GP office visits and phone calls and a decreased number of clinical measurements and GP home visits. HbA1c levels increased among patients with T2D in 2020. Further research is necessary to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term clinical outcomes and (long-term) T2D complications.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"8 8","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135873347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}