News13Now
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Business
    • Politics
    • Science
    • World
    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    Levi Strauss Heir to Challenge Mayor London Breed of San Francisco – The New York Times

    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education receives … – University of Southern Indiana

    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    Two Rockford business organizations to merge into Rockford … – Rockford Register Star

    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    ChildFund Rugby transforming lives as Principal Social Impact … – Rugby World Cup

    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    Canadian Sikhs stage protests against Indian government over murder – Reuters

    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    Higher Education Grad Student Studies Abroad Through New … – University of Arkansas Newswire

    Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

    Global health security and the health-security nexus: principles … – ReliefWeb

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Food
      • Health
      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      Kerry Washington Opens Up About Family Secrets, Mental Health … – The New York Times

      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      Saudi prince becomes viral sensation serving and cooking at newly … – Arab News

      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      As student mental health needs leap, schools seek a next generation of counselors – MPR News

      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      Sake Is The Japanese Drink Used For Sipping And Cooking – Tasting Table

      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      Some US Health Providers Dropping Gender-Affirming Care for Kids Even Where It's Legal – Voice of America – VOA News

      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      Baleadas Cooking Demo – UMass News and Media Relations

      Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

      'A unicorn': Speakers talk Junction's job in bettering health care – Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

      Trending Tags

      • Entertainment
        • All
        • Sports
        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        Chrissy Teigen reveals 'big regret' from John Legend wedding – The Daily Herald

        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        Explore Edmonton to empower female sports leaders as NEW ERA … – SportsPro Media

        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        Phillies rookie Kerkering makes impact in MLB debut, invites questions – NBC Sports Philadelphia

        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        Patricia Stockman's 'No Forwarding Address' at TAG | Arts … – Frederick News Post

        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Sept. 25, 2023: Peters … – TribLIVE.com

        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        Kerry Washington says her world was turned ‘upside down’ upon learning paternity revelation – CNN

        Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

        Tigst Assefa shatters marathon world record in Berlin – NBC Sports

        Trending Tags

        • Tech
          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          Global Legal Technology Market 2023-2030: Navigating Legal … – GlobeNewswire

          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          E-News | Office of Technology Transfer Lunch & Learn: IGNITE WV – WVU ENews

          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) Is Making Moderate Use Of Debt – Simply Wall St

          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          ‘Address challenges in AI, technology in education’ – Philstar.com

          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          Technology Advancements Could Unlock 80% More Wind Energy … – NREL

          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          Luxury and Technology: Toward the Boutique of the Future – Bain & Company

          Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

          Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 179 With Bug Fixes and … – MacRumors

          Trending Tags

          Tuesday, September 26, 2023
          No Result
          View All Result
          • Home
          • News
            • All
            • Business
            • Politics
            • Science
            • World
            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            Levi Strauss Heir to Challenge Mayor London Breed of San Francisco – The New York Times

            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education receives … – University of Southern Indiana

            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            Two Rockford business organizations to merge into Rockford … – Rockford Register Star

            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            ChildFund Rugby transforming lives as Principal Social Impact … – Rugby World Cup

            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            Canadian Sikhs stage protests against Indian government over murder – Reuters

            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            Higher Education Grad Student Studies Abroad Through New … – University of Arkansas Newswire

            Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

            Global health security and the health-security nexus: principles … – ReliefWeb

            Trending Tags

            • Lifestyle
              • All
              • Food
              • Health
              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              Kerry Washington Opens Up About Family Secrets, Mental Health … – The New York Times

              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              Saudi prince becomes viral sensation serving and cooking at newly … – Arab News

              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              As student mental health needs leap, schools seek a next generation of counselors – MPR News

              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              Sake Is The Japanese Drink Used For Sipping And Cooking – Tasting Table

              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              Some US Health Providers Dropping Gender-Affirming Care for Kids Even Where It's Legal – Voice of America – VOA News

              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              Baleadas Cooking Demo – UMass News and Media Relations

              Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

              'A unicorn': Speakers talk Junction's job in bettering health care – Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

              Trending Tags

              • Entertainment
                • All
                • Sports
                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                Chrissy Teigen reveals 'big regret' from John Legend wedding – The Daily Herald

                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                Explore Edmonton to empower female sports leaders as NEW ERA … – SportsPro Media

                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                Phillies rookie Kerkering makes impact in MLB debut, invites questions – NBC Sports Philadelphia

                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                Patricia Stockman's 'No Forwarding Address' at TAG | Arts … – Frederick News Post

                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Sept. 25, 2023: Peters … – TribLIVE.com

                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                Kerry Washington says her world was turned ‘upside down’ upon learning paternity revelation – CNN

                Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                Tigst Assefa shatters marathon world record in Berlin – NBC Sports

                Trending Tags

                • Tech
                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Global Legal Technology Market 2023-2030: Navigating Legal … – GlobeNewswire

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  E-News | Office of Technology Transfer Lunch & Learn: IGNITE WV – WVU ENews

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) Is Making Moderate Use Of Debt – Simply Wall St

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  ‘Address challenges in AI, technology in education’ – Philstar.com

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Technology Advancements Could Unlock 80% More Wind Energy … – NREL

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Luxury and Technology: Toward the Boutique of the Future – Bain & Company

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 179 With Bug Fixes and … – MacRumors

                  Trending Tags

                  No Result
                  View All Result
                  News13Now
                  No Result
                  View All Result
                  Home News Politics

                  How COVID, Inequality and Politics Make a Vicious Syndemic

                  by Editor
                  August 26, 2021
                  in Politics
                  0
                  How COVID, Inequality and Politics Make a Vicious Syndemic
                  492
                  SHARES
                  1.4k
                  VIEWS
                  Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


                  It is folly to respond to COVID by focusing only on the coronavirus that causes it, because the virus alone did not dictate the catastrophic impact. For instance, in the U.S., the illness initially hit urban populations hard. But the virus has traveled to more rural areas over time, and recently the impact has shifted to Southern states. In those areas, people younger than 70 years old have been dying more frequently from COVID than they have elsewhere. These same states have had fewer people getting vaccinated and protected. The mortality trends are strongly tied to the increased burden of cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses in the American South, which existed before the virus hit but have made its impact worse. Poorer access to health care has also been a factor in these sad Southern numbers because many of these same states refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Even before the pandemic, states that expanded Medicaid showed improved health; those that refused expansion did not. As COVID took hold, states with Medicaid expansions were better able to ramp up testing and tracing and to provide health care coverage to people who were suddenly out of work.

                  The larger lesson of COVID is that social and biological risk are deeply entangled. Viruses may cause disease in individuals, but pandemics play out in populations. This disease, like previous pandemics, reflects political, economic and social conditions. One way to understand these dynamics is through the concept of syndemics.

                  The term syndemic refers to the synergies among epidemics. The idea involves three claims. First, political-economic forces with historical depth lead to entrenched social, economic and power inequities. Second, those inequities shape the distribution of risks and resources for health, leading to the concentration of disease in specific parts of a population. And third, some overlapping diseases make one another worse because of biological interactions.

                  COVID is not inherently syndemic. Syndemics are not properties of diseases but rather of systems. Syndemics reminds us that, while we can understand viruses in the lab, the distribution of disease depends on complex, real-world interactions among political-economic structures, ecological contexts and human biology. In other words, context matters. Local histories and power structures influence where conditions cluster, how they interact and why some people suffer more.

                  In the U.S., conditions were ripe for a syndemic to emerge. A deep history of systemic racism and white supremacy in the country had two immediate consequences. First, race-based residential segregation, the racialized structure of the workforce, and racial inequities in the prison system, among other factors, meant that Black and Indigenous people and other people of color were more likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. In contrast, the accumulated advantages of whiteness meant that white people were more likely to be in professions that allowed them to work from home, reducing exposure. Second, because of the same political-economic and social inequalities, Black and brown people were already suffering disproportionately from poor health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. There are biological interactions between these conditions and COVID, such as when chronic inflammation from diabetes is augmented by acute inflammation from SARS-CoV-2, leading to an intense immunological reaction that can damage multiple organs.

                  Such syndemic interactions are likely one reason worldwide excess deaths in 2020 far outpaced the already shocking number of deaths directly attributed to COVID that year. These conditions made the anemic U.S. federal response to the disease in 2020 even more deadly. By continually downplaying the threat and moving to reopen crowded businesses while infections were still accelerating, the Trump administration allowed the virus to spread along the fault lines of society. Syndemic interactions with preexisting inequities in health and the conditions of life meant that the hardest-hit communities were already suffering from concentrated poverty, substandard housing, less access to health care, disproportionate police surveillance and incarceration, greater exposure to air pollution, less access to healthy food and higher rates of cardiometabolic disease. The pandemic made many of these conditions worse. For instance, there were unequal impacts of the economic fallout throughout 2020, and the current economic recovery continues to leave many Black communities and other communities of color behind. And earlier this year, failures to prioritize equity in vaccine distribution allowed glaring inequities to grow.

                  It didn’t have to be this way. Consider the case of New Zealand. There are many differences between that country and the U.S., but they share a common history of European settler colonialism and enduring social, economic and health inequities among white, Asian, Pacific Islander and Indigenous people. New Zealand had, and has, the background for syndemics. But when COVID brushed its shores, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern closed down the country. Her “go hard, go early” approach, embodied in the nearly five-week lockdown that she instituted in March 2020, focused on protecting her “team of five million.” She also urged New Zealanders to care for one another, to be compassionate. The nation has been largely successful in keeping COVID under control. Drawing on long-standing pandemic preparedness plans, Ardern employed basic public health principles to stop the disease in this smaller, less dense population.

                  Many other countries responded with strong public health leadership, implementing swift lockdowns and controlling the disease. For example, Rwanda’s government shut everything down and tightly controlled the spread of COVID in 2020, in part through established trust within the system and what the country’s former minister of health Agnes Binagwaho described as “compassionate leadership” in a 2020 International Journal of Health Policy and Management paper. A national lockdown ensued a week after the first case was confirmed, followed by extensive contact tracing and testing. Today Rwanda is fighting a new spike in cases by pushing to vaccinate as many citizens as possible, but accessing enough vaccines is difficult because of global inequities in immunizations.

                  Inequality takes lives. Demographer Elizabeth Wrigley-Field recently showed that Black people in the U.S. experience pandemic-scale premature mortality every year. Like the influenza pandemic a century ago, COVID exacted a staggering toll, instantly reducing life expectancy in the U.S. by more than a year. Yet even the reduced life expectancy of white Americans remains higher than it has ever been for Black Americans, and the reductions in life expectancy for Black and Latino populations are expected to be three to four times greater than for white people.

                  When a novel coronavirus is introduced into that context of inequality and allowed to spread, it is a recipe for disaster—and not only for the targets of racial oppression but for everyone. Another recent study estimated that, if the U.S. government had paid reparations to descendants of enslaved people—an essential step toward liberty and justice for all—then the overall transmission rate of the virus, regardless of ethnic or racial background, would have been between 31 and 68 percent lower than it was. Everyone would have been better off.

                  If the pandemic begins to recede, we hope the world will not return to a “normal” that was not working for everyone. COVID will not be the last pandemic threat we face. To reduce the suffering from the next one, we must reduce the suffering people experience now. The larger lesson of syndemics is that a more equal society is also a healthier one.



                  Source link

                  Tags: COVIDInequalityPoliticsSyndemicVicious
                  Share197Tweet123Share49
                  Editor

                  Editor

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Local sports roundup: September 1 – Daily Journal

                  August 31, 2023
                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  An 11-Year-Old Boy Called 911. Police Then Shot Him. – The New York Times

                  May 28, 2023
                  Health officials call for school mask mandate in Michigan amidst ‘protest mobs,’ bullying

                  Health officials call for school mask mandate in Michigan amidst ‘protest mobs,’ bullying

                  September 27, 2021
                  11-year-old turns bath bomb hobby into small business

                  11-year-old turns bath bomb hobby into small business

                  April 26, 2021
                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  With a new sports year is coming a review of 2022-23 offers perspective – The Advocate

                  May 27, 2023
                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Inside the Party Switch that Blew Up North Carolina Politics – The New York Times

                  July 30, 2023
                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  West Hartford Business Buzz: September 18, 2023 – We-Ha – http://www.we-ha.com

                  September 18, 2023

                  Glenmark Life Science files DRHP for IPO

                  April 17, 2021

                  Facebook signs deal with Murdoch’s News Corp Australia after media law

                  March 16, 2021

                  Evacuation orders have been issued after plant fire reignites in Brunswick, Georgia – CNN

                  April 15, 2023

                  Area first responders train with new technology for for emergency response situations

                  May 5, 2022

                  Mad About Science Camp A Hit

                  August 14, 2021

                  Alton Brown’s 20 Best Cooking Tips For Home Chefs

                  November 30, 2022

                  This pasta might look boring but wait until you cook it

                  May 10, 2021

                  Roderick ‘Pooh’ Clark dies aged 49 | Entertainment

                  April 19, 2022

                  Game-Changing Technology Uses Live X-Ray Images for Guiding Endovascular Surgery – Critical Care

                  July 7, 2022
                  News13Now

                  News 13 Now!

                  Categories

                  • Business
                  • Entertainment
                  • Food
                  • Health
                  • News
                  • Politics
                  • Science
                  • Sports
                  • Tech
                  • World

                  Recent News

                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  Levi Strauss Heir to Challenge Mayor London Breed of San Francisco – The New York Times

                  September 26, 2023
                  Biden State of the Union address likely boosted Democrats' 2024 confidence – NPR

                  USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education receives … – University of Southern Indiana

                  September 26, 2023

                  Copyright © 2022 The Blakeslee Group, Inc.

                  No Result
                  View All Result
                  • Home
                  • Entertainment
                    • Gaming
                    • Movie
                    • Music
                    • Sports
                  • Lifestyle
                    • Fashion
                    • Food
                    • Travel
                    • Health
                  • News
                    • Business
                    • Politics
                    • Science
                    • World
                  • Tech
                    • Apps
                    • Gadget
                    • Mobile

                  Copyright © 2022 The Blakeslee Group, Inc.