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Citation
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Armocida B, Ussai S, Pavlovych M, Valente M, Missoni E, Pistis M, Lauria B, Bustreo F, Onder G. Lancet Public Health 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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With improvement in life expectancy and the rapid population ageing in recent decades, when a humanitarian crisis occurs, a larger group of older people than in previous decades might be disproportionately affected. Although older people have been recognised as a vulnerable group in humanitarian crises, they have not traditionally been considered a priority for humanitarian assistance. International guidelines take older people into account and specific recommendations exist on the inclusion of this population amid humanitarian crises; however, their concrete extent of real-world applicability remains limited.
In February, 2022, Russia started a military invasion of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the war that began in eastern Ukraine in 2014. According to WHO Regional Office for Europe, as of March 14, at least 636 deaths had been reported among civilians, including 46 children, and 1125 injuries, with more than 31 reports of attacks on health-care facilities, and more than 3 million people fleeing the war. The Ukrainian crisis is rapidly unfolding, causing a major disruption of health-care services in a country already struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, a low COVID-19 vaccination coverage (34%), and a non-communicable diseases burden accounting for 91% of total deaths.
About 24% of the Ukrainian population is aged 60 years or older, and this population suffers the most severe consequences of humanitarian emergencies. This has also been reported by several studies conducted in eastern Ukraine since the beginning of the war in that area (2014), with approximately 70% of older people who live in conflict affected areas having at least one chronic disease, including serious psychological distress, ranging in prevalence from 33% to 42%, and about 60% having been displaced.
Specific challenges and barriers characterise the older population in humanitarian settings, including difficulties in accessing food, clean water, and health services; comorbidities and an increased susceptibility to ill health, malnutrition, disability, and injury; an increased risk of discrimination and violence, particularly for those with disabilities; inappropriate management of chronic conditions; socioeconomic status with financial dependence and social and economic marginalisation; few trained humanitarian professionals with a specific expertise in the health-care needs of older people
Language: en |