Summary:
Impact of COVID-19 on Children: Orphanhood and Caregiver Death
Summary:
The prevalence of children affected by COVID-19-associated orphanhood and caregiver death significantly increased within a short period. Over a span of 6 months, the number of affected children nearly doubled compared to the first 14 months of the pandemic. Globally, the majority of affected children (76.5%) experienced paternal orphanhood, while 23.5% were maternal orphans. This increase in orphanhood and caregiver death was observed across various regions. The study aimed to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on children and offer evidence-based strategies for emergency response programming to address these challenges.
Key Points:
- The prevalence of children affected by COVID-19-related orphanhood and caregiver death doubled within 6 months compared to the initial 14 months of the pandemic.
- Paternal orphanhood was more common, affecting 76.5% of children globally, while 23.5% experienced maternal orphanhood.
- Increases in orphanhood and caregiver death were observed across different geographical regions.
- The study sought to provide estimates of the impact of COVID-19 on children and propose evidence-based strategies for emergency response programming.
The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the growing number of children affected by COVID-19-related orphanhood and caregiver death, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based emergency response programming..
Dr. Funmi Okunola MD
Credible Source:
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https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(22)00005-0/fulltext
