Articles: pandemics.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2022
Association between race, shooting hot spots, and the surge in gun violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles.
Gun violence rates increased in U. S. cities in 2020 and into 2021. Gun violence rates in U. ⋯ In this paper, we examine the extent to which the increase in shooting victimization in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles during the 2020-2021 pandemic was concentrated in gun violence hot spots, and how the increase impacted race and ethnic disparities in shooting victimization rates. We find that 36% (Philadelphia), 47% (New York), and 55% (Los Angeles) of the increase in shootings observed during the period 2020-2021 occurred in the top decile of census block groups, by aggregate number of shootings, and that the race/ethnicity of victims in these gun violence hot spots were disproportionately Black and Hispanic. We discuss the implications of these findings as they relate to racial disparities in victimization and place-based efforts to reduce gun violence.
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Many COVID-19 infected people remain asymptomatic, and hence the diagnosis at first presentation remains a challenge. Assessment at a presentation in primary care settings is usually done by visual triaging and basic clinical examination. This retrospective study involved investigating the medical e-records of COVID-19 positive patients who presented to a COVID-19 centre in Qatar for July 2020. ⋯ Compared to the asymptomatic group, the symptomatic group had lower Ct values (age groups [21-30], [31-40], [41-50] and [51-60]), higher temperature (age groups [21-30] and [31-40], Ct ranges [20.01-25.00] and [25.01-30.00]), higher HR (age groups [21-30] and [31-40], Ct range [15.01-20.00]); and lower SpO2 (age groups [41-50] and [51-60], Ct ranges [15.01-20.00] and [35.01-40.00]). Compared with asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients with COVID-19 are most likely to be febrile, tachycardic, hypoxic and having higher viral load. Higher viral load was associated with higher HR, higher temperature, lower SpO2, but there was no relation between viral load and age.
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The SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has shed a bright light on the long-standing health inequities experienced by Blacks across the United States. The need to promote the health and well-being for the Black population has been highlighted. ⋯ This concept resulted from empathetic and non-judgmental conversations over a 10-year period with over one thousand patients. This article will provide simple solutions through the practical application of patient engagement and cultural sensitivity using the common thread of the human experience.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) placed additional strain on an already struggling health care system. In response, novel solutions such as telehealth have been explored, however, there is significant room for innovation in health care delivery. ⋯ Drive-through medical systems can accurately triage patients presenting with potential COVID-19 and effectively treat lower-risk patients, thereby reducing ED utilization.
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To investigate the predictors of postoperative mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients. ⋯ COVID-19-positive patients have higher risk of postintervention mortality. Risk factors should be carefully evaluated before intervention. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of pandemic on long-term surgical/procedural outcomes.