COVID-19 and non-communicable diseases in complex vulnerable populations: evidence from Jordan

Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2023 Jan 20:24:e8. doi: 10.1017/S1463423622000731.

Abstract

More than three in 10 people living in Jordan are immigrants, with the majority being Palestinian and Syrian refugees, who have a very similar non-communicable diseases (NCDs) profile to the hosting Jordanian community. We conducted a rapid review of the literature of studies, reports, and documents on the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations in Jordan with regard to NCD during the first year of the pandemic. COVID-19-related mobility constraints and often lack of awareness of NCDs put additional burden on vulnerable populations like refugees and migrants, in particular on non-registered migrants. COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation measures led to disruption in routine health services, significantly impacting people living with NCDs. Ensuring to deliver a people-centered and inclusive approach that works well during COVID-19 is of paramount importance toward Universal Health Coverage (all people have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship).

Keywords: COVID-19; Jordan; Non-communicable diseases; migrants; refugees; vulnerable.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Jordan / epidemiology
  • Noncommunicable Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Pandemics