Abstract

For the third time, a review has been conducted of the scientific literature on the health effects of the coronavirus pandemic. For this literature review, the researchers focused on the main findings of the previous reviews. The results confirm the insights gained from the previous review rounds. The studies under review mainly concern the year 2021 (primarily the first six months). Little information was published about 2022, as a result of which there is still a dearth of knowledge about the pandemic’s long-term effects.

The review confirms that a there is a group of people who continue to have long-term symptoms after infection with the coronavirus, rendering them partially or fully unable to work. These symptoms may persist for a lengthy period of time, up to two years after infection. At the same time, the number of people with long-term symptoms decreases over the years.

It is also clear that the mental health of young people was worse in the first year after the pandemic than before the pandemic, with an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety. This was particularly noticeable during the lockdowns. Although their symptoms became less severe after the relaxation of measures, their mental health did not fully recover. It is not known how this situation will develop in the long term.

The pandemic largely had a negative effect on social functioning. People took part in social activities less often and felt socially isolated. The perceived quality of social contact was also lower, for example because it took place online.

Lastly, postponed care also had a negative effect. As a result, people who suffered a heart attack had poorer health outcomes after treatment and more complications, whereas cancer patients had more or worse metastases due to later diagnoses and treatments. People whose operations had been postponed also had a worse quality of life than before the pandemic.

Certain groups were hit harder than others by the coronavirus pandemic, including young people, people with a lower socio-economic status and people with pre-existing health problems. It is essential that policymakers know about these effects and vulnerable groups to be able to organise proper care and support, now and in the event of a new pandemic. At the same time, the vulnerabilities identified in the literature are relevant for public health promotion in general, regardless of exposure to pandemics and disasters.