• Sarah Cuschieri, Elizabeth Grech, Adrienne Gatt, Angelica Cutajar, Carine Vassallo, Daniel Zahra, Daniela Chatlani, Francesca Farrugia, Karen Cutajar, Leonie Mifsud, Maria Pia Tabone, Martina Azzopardi, Matthew Pace, Nicole Lorraine Mifsud, Nourah Aldousari, Raissa Baldacchino, Rebecca Caruana, Samuel Camilleri, Sarah Azzopardi, Sarah Cassar, Sarah Miceli Farrugia, Daniel Agius, and Andrea Cuschieri.
• Resident Academic, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2090 Malta.
• Afr Health Sci. 2022 Dec 1; 22 (4): 551564551-564.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, including across the Mediterranean basin. This region presents diversity in economy, culture, and societal affairs. We attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the population and on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our aim being to aid in the development of COVID-19 national plans.MethodsEpidemiological data was obtained from 'Our World in Data' databases (January 2020 - July 2021). Case, mortality, and vaccination incidence comparisons were made across neighbouring countries. The SDG index, universal health coverage (UHC) and health workforce targets were collected for each country. Correlations between SDG targets and COVID-19 outcomes were analysed.ResultsSimilarities in morbidity and mortality outcomes were present across neighbouring countries, with a bidirectional relationship between cumulative fully vaccinated population and infectivity fatality rates. Positive relationships were present between SDG indexes, UHC and health workforces and COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccinations.ConclusionAt prima face, high-income countries seem to have sustained worse morbidity and mortality outcomes, despite having had better UHC and a greater health workforce in the pre-COVID-19 era however, one must also consider that factors such as health-seeking behaviour and underdiagnosis may have influenced this. Cross-border infectivity was, however, evident. Pan-Mediterranean action must therefore be taken to ensure COVID-19 transmissibility and mortality are reduced across borders, while ensuring an equitable health outcome across populations.© 2022 Cuschieri S et al.

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