Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae

Abstract COVID-19 is a serious threat to human health and development. The acute burden of the pandemic includes more than 18.2 million deaths worldwide, and is unprecedented in modern times. This represents only a fraction of the total burden, as it excludes infection sequelae. An effective global...

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Main Author: Jade Khalife
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-12-01
Series:Global Health Research and Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-022-00283-x
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author Jade Khalife
author_facet Jade Khalife
author_sort Jade Khalife
collection DOAJ
description Abstract COVID-19 is a serious threat to human health and development. The acute burden of the pandemic includes more than 18.2 million deaths worldwide, and is unprecedented in modern times. This represents only a fraction of the total burden, as it excludes infection sequelae. An effective global strategic paradigm has been missing throughout the pandemic. The ‘flattening the curve’ approach neglected the importance of infection sequelae, and being centered on healthcare capacity was conceptually contrary to a people-centered health system. In March 2022, the World Health Organization revised its pandemic approach, importantly shifting emphasis away from managing transmission and towards prevention. Despite limitations, this now recognizes the role of infection sequelae, whose impact is becoming clearer in both variety and scale. Drawing on the foundational concepts of Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz, most country approaches do not qualify as strategies, but rather as operational plans. They are also largely ineffective, neglecting infection sequelae, viral evolution dangers and other parameters. The purpose of this article is to summarize the evidence on COVID-19 infection sequelae, and alongside other contextual parameters use this to motivate that infection should be prevented. This is then used to answer the question: What is an effective strategy against COVID-19?
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spelling doaj.art-1f5e0ad9f7a844839e0fb3ede817c8a12022-12-22T04:19:23ZengBMCGlobal Health Research and Policy2397-06422022-12-01711710.1186/s41256-022-00283-xEffective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelaeJade Khalife0Social Medicine and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Lund UniversityAbstract COVID-19 is a serious threat to human health and development. The acute burden of the pandemic includes more than 18.2 million deaths worldwide, and is unprecedented in modern times. This represents only a fraction of the total burden, as it excludes infection sequelae. An effective global strategic paradigm has been missing throughout the pandemic. The ‘flattening the curve’ approach neglected the importance of infection sequelae, and being centered on healthcare capacity was conceptually contrary to a people-centered health system. In March 2022, the World Health Organization revised its pandemic approach, importantly shifting emphasis away from managing transmission and towards prevention. Despite limitations, this now recognizes the role of infection sequelae, whose impact is becoming clearer in both variety and scale. Drawing on the foundational concepts of Sun Tzu and Carl von Clausewitz, most country approaches do not qualify as strategies, but rather as operational plans. They are also largely ineffective, neglecting infection sequelae, viral evolution dangers and other parameters. The purpose of this article is to summarize the evidence on COVID-19 infection sequelae, and alongside other contextual parameters use this to motivate that infection should be prevented. This is then used to answer the question: What is an effective strategy against COVID-19?https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-022-00283-xCOVID-19StrategySequelaeLong COVIDChronic disease
spellingShingle Jade Khalife
Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae
Global Health Research and Policy
COVID-19
Strategy
Sequelae
Long COVID
Chronic disease
title Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae
title_full Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae
title_fullStr Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae
title_full_unstemmed Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae
title_short Effective strategies against COVID-19 and the importance of infection sequelae
title_sort effective strategies against covid 19 and the importance of infection sequelae
topic COVID-19
Strategy
Sequelae
Long COVID
Chronic disease
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-022-00283-x
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