DIS2 · Disability and Disease during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: Implications for Preparedness Policies
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-06-03 → 2021-06-02
- EU contribution
- €202,159
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Disability and Disease during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: Implications for Preparedness Policies
People with disabilities are at increased risk during pandemics for biological and social reasons. The complex relationships between interacting health conditions and social factors fit the definition of a syndemic. For example, some disabilities might make individuals more susceptible to severe illness or death from infectious diseases. People with disabilities also typically have less access to education, employment, and health care, which enhances risks of exposure and illness. Despite these concerns, there is a lack of previous research on the outcomes for people with disabilities during past pandemics, including the 1918 influenza pandemic. The aim of this project was to examine historical, epidemiological and anthropological data to enhance understanding of disability as a risk factor for infectious disease and improve pandemic preparedness, reducing vulnerability of people with disabilities in the future. Specific objectives were: 1. To identify social factors that contribute to inequalities in morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) among people with disabilities during influenza pandemics. 2. To develop a simulation tool for evaluation of interventions to reduce the spread of epidemics among institutionalised populations of people with disabilities, with which to inform public health policy. 3. To establish a foundation for future research on disability and infectious disease within the theoretical framework of syndemics, and enhance my professional capacity to be a leader in this field.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
A global influenza pandemic is imminent and public health preparedness plans that address the needs of vulnerable populations are indispensable. While researchers have documented socioeconomic and geographic variables that contribute to disparities in infection and mortality, there has been little to no investigation of disability as a risk factor during influenza pandemics, despite the warnings of epidemiologists that persons with disabilities would be at increased risk. Drawing on rich historical data from the 1918 influenza pandemic, this project addresses this gap through a novel interdisciplinary and mixed methods approach. Quantitative and qualitative analyses will explore differential outcomes based on forms of disability and institutionalisation. Results of demographic analyses and insights from archival, historical, and ethnographic literature will inform the construction of an agent-based computer simulation model that will help explain observed patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of potential interventions. A short visit will enable regional comparisons between Norway and Sweden and enhance theoretical and methodological links between epidemiological and disability research. The fellow will benefit from the expertise of a European centre of excellent research, the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research, at Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. Building on the fellow's previous work and skills in both epidemic modelling and disability research, the project activities will lead to further development of the fellow's professional maturity, while the results will have a key impact on the advancement of multiple academic disciplines, and as called for in EU and UN policies, on the improvement of the citizen rights and health of persons with disabilities.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- OSLOMET - STORBYUNIVERSITETET · OsloCoordinatorNorway
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union