Department of Family Medicine, David Braley Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada.
Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Can J Public Health. 2021 Feb;112(1):4-7. doi: 10.17269/s41997-020-00462-8. Epub 2021 Jan 4.
Older adults in social housing have high rates of chronic diseases and live in clustered housing, creating the ideal situation for a tragic outbreak in this vulnerable population, which has been largely unrecognized in the public health discourse. It is estimated that two thirds of this population have cardiometabolic conditions that put them at higher risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. In addition, their social isolation, low mobility, low health literacy, and limited internet access are barriers to accessing basic needs, health information, and health care in a Canadian context where many services have moved to virtual platforms. Since older adults in social housing tend to be clustered in apartment buildings with shared facilities, there is an increased risk of exposure through common spaces (e.g., elevator, laundry room) and high-touch surfaces. Compared to long-term care homes, there is substantial movement in and out of social housing buildings as residents are required to go out to meet their basic needs and individuals providing support enter the buildings without screening (e.g., personal support workers, volunteers delivering groceries). Without a targeted public health strategy to support this vulnerable population, we surmise that social housing will be the next COVID-19 hotspot.
社会住房中的老年人慢性病发病率较高，且居住在集中式住房中，这为这一弱势群体中的疫情爆发创造了理想条件，但这在公共卫生话语中尚未得到充分认识。据估计，该人群中有三分之二患有心血管代谢疾病，使他们面临 COVID-19 不良后果的风险更高。此外，他们的社会隔离、行动不便、健康素养低以及互联网接入有限，这使得他们难以在加拿大的背景下获得基本需求、健康信息和医疗保健，因为许多服务已经转移到虚拟平台上。由于社会住房中的老年人往往集中在有共享设施的公寓楼中，因此通过公共空间（例如电梯、洗衣房）和高接触表面暴露的风险增加。与长期护理院相比，社会住房建筑中有大量人员进出，因为居民需要外出满足其基本需求，而提供支持的人员在没有进行筛查的情况下进入建筑物（例如，个人支持工作者、提供食品杂货的志愿者）。如果没有针对这一弱势群体的有针对性的公共卫生策略，我们推测社会住房将成为下一个 COVID-19 热点地区。
