2023 Health Rundown: From Long Covid to Monkeypox, What Dominated This Year?

The year 2023 saw a continuation of many pre-existing health challenges alongside some emerging concerns. Here's a glimpse into some of the major health issues of 2023:

1. Long-term impacts of COVID-19:

Long COVID: The long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection, known as Long COVID, continued to be a significant health concern in 2023. Millions of people worldwide suffer from symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, breathing difficulties, and chronic pain months or even years after their initial infection.

2. Chronic diseases:

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): Chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses remain leading causes of death and disability globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that NCDs account for 70% of all deaths worldwide.
• Mental health: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. According to the WHO, one in eight people globally live with a mental health disorder.

3. Environmental threats:

Climate change and air pollution: Climate change and air pollution pose significant threats to human health, contributing to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues. The potential consequences of climate change and air pollution for human health:

• Direct assault on health: Rising temperatures exacerbate heat waves, increasing heat-related illnesses and deaths, while worsening air quality fuels respiratory and cardiovascular problems, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Ripple effect on wellbeing: Beyond physical ailments, the anxieties and uncertainties surrounding climate change and air pollution can significantly impact mental health, fostering stress, anxiety, and even depression.

These additions highlight the multifaceted nature of the threat and its potential to impact not only our physical health but also our mental wellbeing.

Antimicrobial resistance: The overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it harder to treat common infections. The overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is leading to the emergence of bacteria so resilient, they laugh in the face of our once-mighty drugs. Everyday infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections, once easily managed, become stubborn adversaries, demanding longer hospital stays and stronger, riskier medications. The specter looms of a future where even minor cuts carry the chilling threat of untreatable sepsis, pushing back the very boundaries of modern medicine. This is not a distant dystopia – it's the urgent reality we face, demanding a change in our approach to antibiotics before these microscopic monsters claim victory.

4. Emerging infectious diseases:

Monkeypox: The monkeypox outbreak, declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO in July 2023, posed a new challenge, requiring global cooperation to contain the spread and develop vaccines. It involved multiple countries across diverse regions, with cases concentrated in:

• Western Pacific Region: This led the pack in terms of case numbers, including countries like Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
• European Region: Countries like Spain, the United Kingdom, and France saw significant outbreaks.
• South-East Asia Region: India, Thailand, and Sri Lanka were significantly impacted.
• Region of the Americas: Brazil, Canada, and the United States reported notable cases.
• African Region: While endemic in some parts, a rise in cases was observed in non-endemic countries like Ghana and Nigeria.

It's important to remember that even though declared a public health emergency, the outbreak severity varied drastically between regions. Some countries were able to control the spread more effectively than others.

Other emerging infectious diseases: The emergence of new pathogens and the increased risk of spillover from animals to humans necessitate continued vigilance and investment in disease surveillance and prevention.

Here are two examples of emerging infectious diseases that highlight the need for increased vigilance and prevention:

• Nipah virus:

Origin: Bats in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Transmission: Primarily through contact with infected bat secretions or fruit contaminated by bat saliva.
Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, followed by neurological (drowsiness, confusion, coma) and respiratory symptoms (pneumonia).
Severity: Highly lethal, with mortality rates around 40-70%.

Case study: An outbreak in Kerala, India in 2018 infected 18 people, killing 17. This prompted enhanced surveillance and research, leading to the development of early diagnostic tests and potential treatments.

• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF):

Origin: Ticks infected with the CCHF virus, found in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Transmission: Tick bites, contact with infected blood or body fluids.
Symptoms: Fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, followed by bleeding from mucous membranes and skin.
Severity: Mortality rates vary from 10-40%, depending on strain and access to healthcare.

Case study: In 2022, China experienced its largest CCHF outbreak, infected around 70 people, and highlighted the need for increased awareness and biosecurity measures in livestock markets and healthcare settings.

These are just two examples, but they illustrate the importance of:

Global surveillance: Early detection and reporting of new outbreaks are crucial for preventing widespread transmission.
Research and development: Vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments need to be continuously developed for emerging threats.
Animal-human interface: Understanding zoonotic diseases and preventing spillover from animals to humans is critical.

Community engagement: Educating communities about hygiene practices and risk factors can help prevent outbreaks.

By investing in these areas, we can be better prepared to face the challenges of emerging infectious diseases in the future.

5. Healthcare access and equity:

Inequities in access to healthcare: Access to quality healthcare remains unequal across the world, with people in low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected by preventable diseases and lack of access to essential medicines and treatments.

Digital divide in healthcare: The increasing use of digital technologies in healthcare poses challenges for people without access to technology or the internet, further exacerbating existing health inequities.

These are just some of the major health problems that dominated 2023. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach, including investments in research, development, and access to healthcare, promoting healthy lifestyles, and addressing the social and environmental determinants of health.

It's important to note that the information provided here is a general overview, and the specific health challenges and their impact vary depending on the region, socioeconomic status, and other factors.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.